Skip to main content
HR 4596 106th Congress House

Corporate Code of Conduct Act

Official title: To require nationals of the United States that employ more than 20 persons in a foreign country to implement a Corporate Code of Conduct with respect to the em… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To require nationals of the United States that employ more than 20 persons in a foreign country to implement a Corporate Code of Conduct with respect to the employment of those persons, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 7, 2000 See on congress.gov
International Affairs Administrative procedureAdministrative remediesAffiliated corporationsAir pollution control
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
American investmentsAnimalsArmed Forces and National SecurityBiological diversity conservationBusiness and politicsBusiness and social problemsBusiness ethicsChemical weaponsChild laborChlorofluorocarbonsCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityClimate change and greenhouse gasesCollective bargainingCommerceCompetitionCongressCongressional reporting requirementsContractorsCorporate accountabilityCorporate corruptionDamagesDebarment of government contractorsDepartment of CommerceDepartment of LaborDepartment of StateDeveloping countriesDisciplining of employeesDiscrimination in employmentDismissal of employeesEmployee rightsEmployee trainingEmployment tax creditsEndangered speciesEnvironmental ProtectionEnvironmental Protection AgencyEqual pay for equal workExport creditExport financeExportsFamiliesFamily planning and birth controlFederal advisory bodiesFederally-guaranteed loansForced laborForeign Trade and International FinanceForeign trade promotionFreedom of associationFreedom of speechGenocideGlobal climate changeGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment contractorsGovernment lendingGovernment paperworkGovernment procurementGovernmental investigationsHealthHuman rightsIndustrial pollutionInternational corporationsInvestment guaranty insuranceJoint venturesJudicial review of administrative actsLabor and EmploymentLabor unionsLawMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine pollutionMinoritiesOccupational health and safetyOil pollution controlOil pollution of the seaOvertimeOzone layer depletionPartnershipsPerformance measurementPolitical persecutionPregnant womenPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesRacial discriminationRadioactive waste disposal in the oceanReligionReligious libertySex discrimination in employmentSlaverySubcontractorsSubsidiary corporationsTortureTransboundary pollutionUnfair labor practicesWagesWaste disposal in the oceanWater pollution controlWhistle blowingWomen
This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 17, 2000
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.
Jul 17, 2000
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.
Jun 19, 2000
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Jun 7, 2000
Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy.
Jun 7, 2000
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.
Jun 7, 2000
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action July 17, 2000

Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
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.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 7
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4596: Corporate Code of Conduct Act. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-4596/
MLA
"H.R. 4596: Corporate Code of Conduct Act." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-4596/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4596, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-4596/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4596: Corporate Code of Conduct Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-4596/)
Report a problem