Bill > HB716

This bill modifies Mississippi's wage discrimination laws by introducing new provisions related to wage history. The bill first defines "wage history" as the wages paid to an employment applicant by their current or previous employers. It then prohibits employers from relying on an applicant's wage history when considering them for employment or determining their initial compensation, effectively preventing employers from using past salary information to set new wages. However, after making an initial job offer, employers can consider voluntarily disclosed wage history to support a higher wage offer. The bill also establishes penalties for violations, including potential statutory damages up to $10,000 and allows employees to pursue civil actions if an employer improperly uses wage history. Additionally, the bill protects employees from retaliation if they refuse to provide wage history or assist in enforcing these provisions. The legislation aims to address potential wage inequities by preventing the perpetuation of historical pay disparities and will take effect on July 1, 2025. The law applies to employers with five or more employees and covers various aspects of wage determination, emphasizing equal pay for equal work across genders.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0716.xml