Mandatory Arbitration Transparency Act of 2017

Summary

Mandatory Arbitration Transparency Act of 2017 This bill prohibits predispute arbitration agreements from containing a confidentiality clause regarding an employment, consumer, or civil rights dispute that could be interpreted to prohibit a party from: (1) making a communication in a manner such that the prohibition would violate a whistle-blower statute; or (2) reporting or making a communication about tortious conduct, unlawful conduct, or issues of public policy or public concern. But the prohibition shall not apply if a party can demonstrate a confidentiality interest that significantly outweighs the private and public interest in disclosure. The validity or enforceability of such an agreement to arbitrate shall be determined by a court, under federal law, rather than by an arbitrator, irrespective of whether the party resisting arbitration challenges the arbitration agreement specifically or in conjunction with other terms of the contract containing such agreement. The bill does not apply to contracts between an employer and a labor organization or between labor organizations, except that no such arbitration provision shall waive the right of an employee to seek judicial enforcement of a right arising under the U.S. Constitution, a state constitution, a federal or state statute, or related public policy. The Federal Trade Commission shall enforce against violations by persons offering such agreements, which shall be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under Federal Trade Commission Act. The bill also allows private rights of action by any persons aggrieved by a violation.

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Timeline

1. 15 March 2017

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 15 March 2017

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in Senate · 15 March 2017 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 15 March 2017

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 15 March 2017

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 15 March 2017

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Richard Blumenthal · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH] · D · Sponsor
• Edward Markey · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN] · D · Sponsor
• Patty Murray · D · Sponsor
• Jeff Merkley · D · Sponsor
• Sheldon Whitehouse · D · Sponsor
• · ssju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to ← Mandatory Arbitration Transparency Act of 2017