Ensure Equal Pay For Equal Work

Current law authorizes the director of the division of labor standards and statistics in the department of labor and employment (director) to create and administer a process to accept and mediate wage complaints, to provide legal resources concerning alleged wage inequity, and to promulgate rules as necessary for this purpose. The act changes these authorizations to requirements and further requires the director to create and administer a complaint mediation process by July 1, 2024.

Additionally, the act requires the director to:

• Investigate complaints or other leads concerning employer violations of wage inequity;
• Upon finding a violation, order compliance and relief; and
• Promulgate rules to enforce the act.

The act also requires an employer to:

• For each job opportunity, follow specific guidelines for posting the opportunity and provide specific information to employees regarding the compensation, benefits, and date that the application window is anticipated to close; and
• Make reasonable efforts to make known information regarding the candidate who is selected for the job opportunity.

For positions with career progression, the act requires an employer to disclose and make available to all eligible employees the requirements for the career progression.

$412,438 is appropriated from the general fund to implement the act. Of that sum, $292,590 is appropriated to the department of labor and employment and $119,848 is appropriated to the department of personnel.

APPROVED by Governor June 5, 2023

EFFECTIVE January 1, 2024

NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)