House committee postpones bill aimed at protecting workers from extreme temperatures

Representatives Lorena Velasco and Judy Froelich asked the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee on Monday to postpone House Bill 12‑86, legislation that would require employers to provide basic protections for workers exposed to extreme heat and cold.

The sponsors told the committee the bill would mandate employer-provided water, shade and rest breaks, access to heated or cooled shelters for warming or cooling, emergency shelter during extreme conditions, training about heat- and cold-related illness in a worker’s preferred language, and penalties for violations.

"This bill provides basic life-saving provisions, such as access to water provided by the employer and shade, physical breaks to warm up or cool down in the shade, shelter or another area that provides heating or cooling," Rep. Velasco said. "We also had clear penalties for violations, relief, offer…