Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2026

This bill would treat incarcerated people who work as employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal law that sets minimum wage and other pay rules. A public agency running a correctional facility, or a private company running one under a government contract, would be considered the employer of incarcerated people who work there. When counting wages paid to incarcerated workers, employers could not count the cost of housing, food, or other facilities, or money taken from pay for court-imposed fees. Court-imposed fees include items like court costs and attorney fees, but not child support, crime victim compensation, civil judgments, or criminal fines.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Emanuel Cleaver Democrat sponsor
• 10 cosponsors