Pennsylvania bill would require construction labor brokers to register

A labor broker would have to register with the state before supplying construction workers. The rules cover people and businesses that supply construction workers to employers for projects in Pennsylvania. A broker is a person or business paid to supply construction workers when the employer directs the project. A subcontractor may be excluded if it takes responsibility for defined work under a fixed-price contract and meets the other listed requirements. The act would take effect one year after enactment.

The Department of Labor and Industry would issue registration certificates and keep a public online list of registered brokers. The list would show each broker's business names and address, registration number, and expiration date. Applicants would provide business and ownership details, report certain past convictions and employment violations, show financial responsibility, and pay a fee of up to $300. The department would set the date for the two-year registration cycle and the window for renewal.

People and businesses would have to check a broker's registration and could not hire an unregistered broker; the department could investigate and impose penalties. These rules apply to labor brokers and to people or businesses that contract with or use them. The secretary would waive certain penalties if a person or employer proves they checked the public system and the broker was registered at that time. The secretary could suspend a broker's registration or bar a person from registering. For a first violation involving use of an unregistered broker, the fine may be up to $25,000. For later violations, it may be up to $25,000 per day for each worker supplied.