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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 1, 2023 11:38 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tarik Khan and Rep. Donna Bullock, Rep. Sara Innamorato, Rep. G. Roni Green, Rep. Joshua Siegel, Rep. Jim Haddock, Rep. Brian Munroe |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Protect Workers from Training Repayment Agreement Provisions (TRAPs) |
| Corporations have been increasingly hiring employees with the promise of on-the-job training. Job applicants eagerly seize a chance to receive both employment and education. However, only after signing the employment contract, some employees have found that they have entered into restrictive training repayment agreement provisions (TRAPs). The TRAP mandates that employees stay with their current employer for a specific period (sometimes multi-year contracts) in exchange for what is often little more than in-house training. TRAPs are increasingly being mandated by employers for low-pay, high-turnover positions. If employees try to break their TRAP, employers often seek out thousands of dollars from the worker. The Consumer Protection Bureau is now investigating this abusive practice, and several states are looking to significantly reign in TRAPs, which are sometimes described as “modern-day indentured servitude.” Our legislation would ban the use of TRAPs in the contracts of all employees in Pennsylvania and penalize employers who continue using TRAPs as a hurtful job retention tactic. More than ever, TRAPs are appearing in the contracts of lower-wage individuals in healthcare, retail, and trucking industries. Nearly 10% of all U.S. workers are laboring under TRAPs. It is time to ensure that all Pennsylvania workers are provided a fair employment deal and have the potential to broaden their careers. We must develop a policy that benefits our workers and not big business. Please join us in guaranteeing Pennsylvania workers a fair shot at seeking the best employment opportunities and growing their careers. |
Introduced as HB608