Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act of 2025

H.R. 2299 would create a permanent Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program within the Department of Labor. The program would allow employers to voluntarily self-audit their payroll records to identify potential minimum wage and overtime violations under federal labor law. Employers who participate would be required to pay back wages owed to affected workers but would not face penalties or fines for the violations they report. If enacted, the bill would protect employers from Department of Labor investigations based on information disclosed through the program, except in cases involving child labor or certain visa program violations. Employers would not be required to pay any fees to participate. Workers who accept back wages through the program would relinquish their right to bring private lawsuits against their employers for those violations. The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote, though it has not yet been enacted into law.