• The SHRM Government Affairs Department recently shared information regarding current legislative issues being introduced by members of congress. Below is additional information from SHRM and how we can advocate from our roles in HR for these legislative issues. 

  • Commonsense Reporting Act (S. 3673 & H.R. 5318): SHRM asks members to cosponsor this measure to modernize IRS reporting requirements. This legislation creates a voluntary reporting system to submit health plan information to the IRS before open enrollment begins. Over 32% of HR professionals support the option to voluntarily submit health plan information before open enrollment begins. Additionally, the Commonsense Reporting Act provides compliance relief by allowing employers to transmit Form 1095 to employees electronically. The extension of the deadline for appeals from the current 30 days to 90 days allows employers more time to gather appropriate information.
  • Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act (H.R. 8388): SHRM asks House members to cosponsor this measure and Senators to support the introduction of companion legislation. The pressing need for reliable care affects the daily decisions of workers and inhibits the ability of employers to recruit and retain talent. This legislation would better enable employers to support workers with caregiving responsibilities. Specifically, H.R. 8388 would update the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to treat on-site childcare services and other dependent care assistance provided by an employer like other employer-provided benefits and separate them from an employee’s regular rate. This bill would also provide our members the flexibility needed to provide workers the necessary support to succeed on the job while fulfilling their caregiving responsibilities.

• Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act (S. 864/H.R. 2037): SHRM asks members to cosponsor the JOBS Act and support its inclusion in part of any larger legislative vehicle. The JOBS Act provides more opportunities for today’s students to access high-quality, short-term education and training programs with federal Pell grants. Expanding access to high-quality, short-term workforce development programs enjoys broad bipartisan support and would represent significant progress towards modernizing the Higher Education Act to meet the needs of today’s workers, jobseekers, and employers. Employers and the government have a dual role to play in the education and training of workers to help them become better qualified for jobs at all skill levels.

Employment Law (shrm.org)