H.R. 2844: Michael Enzi Voluntary Protection Program Act of 2025

This bill provides statutory authority for the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Under VPP, an employer that has established an OSHA-approved comprehensive safety and health management system (SHMS) is exempt from programmed inspections (i.e., OSHA-initiated inspections relating to enforcement priorities). A participating employer's SHMS must include hazard assessment and control measures; management and employee participation; and employee safety and health training. Participating employers must conduct annual self-evaluations and are also subject to onsite evaluations by OSHA.

The bill prohibits the Department of Labor from requiring payment for employers to qualify for or participate in VPP. It also directs Labor to develop a plan for modernizing VPP technology. OSHA must also dedicate at least 5% of annual fiscal year appropriations to funding VPP.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.