Introduced in House — H.R. 9116

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9116

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 3, 2026

Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms. Norton, and Ms. Jayapal) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend section 1977A of the Revised Statutes of 1977 to equalize the remedies available under that section and to amend the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to provide any legal or equitable relief available under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Equal Remedies Act of 2026.

Sec. 2. Equalization of remedies

Section 1977A of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981a) is amended—

(1)

by amending (b)(3) to read as follows:

(3) losses
Compensatory damages are available under this section for past and future pecuniary losses, emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-pecuniary losses.; and

(2)

in subsection (c) by striking section— and all that follows through the period at the end, and inserting section, any party may demand a jury trial..

Sec. 3. Compensatory and punitive damages available for age discrimination

Section 7(b) of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 626(b)) is amended—

(1)

by striking The and all that follows through the 3d sentence and inserting the following:

Except as otherwise provided in another subsection of this section, or section 9 of this Act, the powers, remedies, and procedures set forth in sections 705, 706, 707, 709, and 710 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–4, 2000e–5, 2000e–6, 2000e–8, and 2000e–9) shall be the powers, remedies, and procedures this Act provides to the Commission, to the Attorney General, or to any person alleging discrimination on the basis of age in violation of sections 4 and 15 of this Act, or regulations promulgated under section 9 of this Act.; and

(2)

in the 4th sentence by striking or enforcing the liability for amounts deemed to be unpaid minimum wages or unpaid overtime compensation under this section and inserting and including any type of legal or equitable relief available under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.).