Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Worker Rights and Support Act

Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Worker Rights and Support Act

Washington, D.C. (May 29, 2026) - Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) reintroduced the Worker Rights and Support Act which would require employees be offered a 30-minute meal break for each six hour work period, given a 10-minute break for every four hours worked to use the restroom, and provided 20-minute breaks for medical conditions.

"Every worker deserves to be treated with dignity," said Rep. Watson Coleman. "This bill guarantees employers respect the basic human rights of their employees, providing short breaks after hours of work. No person should be expected to work for hours on end without rest - it's indecent, it's inhumane, and with my bill, it will be illegal. I strongly encourage Congress to stand on the side of working families and pass this legislation."

Restroom and medical breaks are typically paid, but meal breaks are not, unless the employee is not fully relieved of their duty during the period of the meal break, in which case they are paid time-and-a-half.

The Worker Rights and Support Act is cosponsored by Representatives Summer Lee (PA-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Mark Takano (CA-39), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Alma Adams (NC-12), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Maxwell Frost (FL-10).

Text of the bill can be found here.

###