Congressman Rice Introduces Healthy Workplaces Act

Press Release

Today Congressman Tom Rice (R-S.C.) and Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-F.L.) along with Congressman Darin LaHood (R-I.L.) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-C.A.) introduced the Healthy Workplaces Act. This legislation is a new way to help businesses safely and responsibly reopen our economy and protect the health and well-being of workers.

The Healthy Workplaces Tax Credit will help businesses reopen safely and restore worker and customer confidence. Here's how:

Encourages and enables businesses to take the recommended steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their workplaces.
Provides a refundable tax credit against payroll taxes for 50% of the costs incurred by the business for COVID-19 testing, personal protection equipment (PPE), disinfecting, extra cleaning, and reconfiguring workspaces.
Is limited to $1,000 per employee for a business's first 500 employees, $750 per employee for the next 500 employees, $500 per employee for 1,000-2,500 employees, $250 for 2,500-5,000 employees, and $50 for each employee thereafter.
"The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact every American. As we navigate a safe reopening, business owners are taking unprecedented measures to protect their employees and patrons. Keeping Americans safe while getting back to work is a top priority. It's important we reconnect workers to jobs and prevent more business closures," said Congressman Rice. "Our Healthy Workplaces Tax Credit will support businesses as they reopen by incentivizing them to take extra precautions to protect the health of patrons and employees."

"I'm proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill that will help businesses re-open and remain open in a way that protects their workers and their customers," said Congresswoman Murphy. "Businesses want to do the right thing when it comes to making their workplaces safe and sanitary, and this bill will ensure they have the resources to do it.'

"The COVID-19 pandemic and state-mandated closures continue to hurt workers and small businesses throughout Illinois. I hear from small business owners and workers regularly who are prepared to take unprecedented steps to reopen," said Congressman LaHood. "Getting people back to work is essential to reinvigorating our economy. This bipartisan legislation will support businesses as they reopen and ensure the health and safety of their employees and the communities they serve."

"Throughout the pandemic, many small businesses on the central coast of California are making major investments to keep their customers and employees safe. By spending money so that their businesses stay safe, open, and within the public health guidelines, the owners' profit margins are even thinner during this time of economic difficulty," said Congressman Panetta. "Our Healthy Workplaces Tax Credit Act is a financial fix to help small businesses cover some of those expenses. This type of bicameral, bipartisan legislation is necessary for the continued success of our small business during COVID and our nation's recovery."

The Healthy Workplaces Act is endorsed by the American Action Forum, Americans for Tax Reform, International Sanitary Supply Association, Job Creators Network, National Association of Manufacturers, National Grocers Association, National Restaurant Association, National Retail Federation, and the Retail Industry Leaders Association.