H.R. 8002In committeeJobs & the economy
Bill would extend Fair Labor Standards Act to prison workers
Data as of July 11, 2026
HR 8002 would require prisons and jails to pay incarcerated workers at least the federal minimum wage under the same law that covers other U.S. workers.45-second read · 4 questions answered below
Decoded
What does this do?
This bill would extend Fair Labor Standards Act protections to people who work while incarcerated, requiring they be paid at least the federal minimum wage. Facilities would not be allowed to count housing or meals as wages, and could not use certain court-imposed fee deductions to reduce a worker's counted earnings.
Who does it affect?
The bill would affect the roughly 800,000 to 1 million incarcerated people in the United States who currently perform work through prison programs. It would also apply to federal and state correctional agencies and private prison companies that run work programs.
Why does it matter?
Right now, incarcerated workers are excluded from federal wage law, so facilities can legally pay them very little, sometimes just cents per hour. This bill would change that by making the same federal minimum wage rules apply to this group of workers.
Where does it stand?
- Introduced
- House committee — You are here
- House vote
- Senate
- President's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
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Official title
Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2026
- Introduced:
- March 19, 2026
- Latest action:
- March 19, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Three steps: where you stand, your script, the call.