Corporate Code of Conduct Act

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

7 June 2000

Last action

17 July 2000 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.

Summary

Corporate Code of Conduct Act - Requires any national of the United States that employs more than 20 persons in a foreign country, either directly or through subsidiaries, subcontractors, affiliates, joint ventures, partners, or licensees (including any security forces), to take the necessary steps to implement the Corporate Code of Conduct specified by this Act with respect to the employment of those persons. (Sec. 3) States that such Corporate Code of Conduct requires that a U.S. national: (1) provide a safe and healthy workplace; (2) ensure fair employment, including prohibition of the use of child and forced labor, prohibition of discrimination based upon race, gender, national origin, or religious beliefs, respect for freedom of association and the right to organize independently and bargain collectively, and the payment of a living wage to all workers; (3) prohibit mandatory overtime work by employees under age 18; (4) prohibit the practice of pregnancy testing of employees, including forced usage of birth control, and the dismissal or discrimination of employees based on pregnancy; (5) prohibit retaliation against any employee who conveys information relating to a violation or alleged violation of any fair employment requirement of this Code; (6) promote specified good governance and good business practices; (7) maintain a corporate culture that respects free expression consistent with legitimate business concerns, does not condone political coercion in the workplace, encourages good corporate citizenship, makes a positive contribution to the communities in which the U.S. national operates, and promotes ethical conduct by all employees; (8) comply with internationally recognized worker rights and core labor standards; (9) uphold responsible environmental protection and environmental practices; (10) comply with minimum international human rights standards; (11) require partners, suppliers, and subcontractors of the U.S. national (including any security forces) to adopt and adhere to these principles; (12) require full public disclosure of specified information; and (13) implement and monitor compliance with these principles through a self-financing program internal to the business that meets certain requirements. (Sec. 4) Requires: (1) Federal agency heads to give preference in the award of contracts to entities adopting and enforcing such Code; (2) the Secretary of Commerce to give preference to such entities that are also U.S. exporters with introduction to contacts in foreign countries, and in coordinating trade missions; (3) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Trade and Development Agency to give such entities preference in providing financing and issuing investment insurance, reinsurance, and guaranties under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; and (4) the Export-Import Bank to give such entities preference in providing guarantees, insurance, and credit, and in participating in extensions of credit. (Sec. 5) Establishes a private right of action to petition the appropriate Federal official to investigate alleged Code compliance violations. (Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of State, or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, upon a determination of Code noncompliance, to terminate a contract entered into with the noncomplying entity, and withdraw, suspend, or limit the entity's preference under this Act.

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Timeline

7 June 2000
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy.
Source: Committee
7 June 2000
Introduced
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Government Reform, and Banking and Financial Services, 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.
Source: IntroReferral
7 June 2000
Introduced
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Government Reform, and Banking and Financial Services, 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.
Source: IntroReferral
7 June 2000
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
7 June 2000
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
19 June 2000
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Source: Committee
17 July 2000
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.
Source: Committee

Votes

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Versions

Introduced in House · 7 June 2000 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 7 June 2000
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Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 7 June 2000
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 7 June 2000
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Related records

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Sources

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Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/4596
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/106/hr/4596
us · 106-hr-4596 · source updated 23 March 2026