ColoradoColorado limits protective gear deductions and meat workers’ restroom denials
Colorado law bars deductions for defined protective equipment and requires large meat employers not to unreasonably deny restroom use during paid work time.
What it does
Employers may not deduct the cost of defined protective equipment from workers’ pay under the rule for deductions for employee-benefiting goods or services.
Employers with at least 500 Colorado employees must not unreasonably deny restroom use during paid work time to workers who slaughter, render, or package meat.
Argument forMeat workers could use restrooms during paid work time without an employer unreasonably denying access.
Argument againstLarge meat employers may face uncertainty about when a restroom denial counts as unreasonable, since the law does not define that term.
More detail
Employers may not deduct the cost of personal protective equipment from workers’ pay under the employee-benefit deduction rule. The rule concerns personal protective equipment provided by an employer to an employee. The text defines this equipment as gear or barriers used to protect employees from recognized health and safety hazards. The definition excludes certain footwear and prescription safety eyewear when employers allow them off-site, built-in metatarsal protection provided at an employee’s request, logging boots, everyday clothing, and items used only for weather protection. The existing deduction rule requires a written agreement for covered items, and the agreement must be enforceable and lawful; the section does not authorize deductions below the applicable minimum wage. The rule applies to conduct on or after the act’s effective date.
Employers must not unreasonably deny covered workers restroom use during paid work time. The rule covers employees who slaughter livestock or render or package meat, when their employer has 500 or more employees in Colorado. The state labor division may fine an employer $100 per employee for each violation, with a limit of $200 per employee per week. The rule applies to conduct on or after the act’s effective date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 3Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 27Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 26Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- May 26Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- May 6Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- May 4House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- Apr 30House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-160, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-160, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.001. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 27Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 27Introduced In House - Assigned to Business Affairs & LaborMinor
- Apr 24Senate Second Reading Passed - No AmendmentsMinor
- Apr 21Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-160 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 10Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & TechnologyIntroduced
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