Safer Workplaces Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on HELP.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 17, 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protecting Employees from Reprisals Title II: Miscellaneous Amendments Safer Workplaces Act - Title I: Protecting Employees from Reprisals - Safety and Health Whistleblower Protection Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to prohibit employer reprisals against employees based on certain employee conduct concerning safe and healthy working conditions. Title II: Miscellaneous Amendments - Provides for coverage of Federal employees and postal employees under OSHA (while still excluding State and local government employees from such coverage). (Sec. 202) Revises certain criminal penalties under OSHA, including by increasing prison sentences and fines.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Wellstone, Paul D. [D-MN] · D–MN

Committees

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 17, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on HELP.
Mar 17, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2856-2858)
Mar 17, 1999
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Mar 17, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.653 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.653, 106th Congress: Safer Workplaces Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/653

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s653/BILLS-106s653is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:17:00Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.653 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.653 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.653, 106th Congress: Safer Workplaces Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/653

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s653/BILLS-106s653is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:17:00Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.653 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.653 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.653, 106th Congress: Safer Workplaces Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/653

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s653/BILLS-106s653is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:17:00Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.653 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.653 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.653, 106th Congress: Safer Workplaces Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/653

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s653/BILLS-106s653is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:17:00Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.653 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.