Bill > SB237

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to strengthen protections against wage discrimination based on sex by expanding and clarifying several key definitions and provisions. The bill defines "wages" more comprehensively to include all earnings and fringe benefits, and introduces the concept of "comparable work" as work that is substantially similar in skill, effort, and responsibility, emphasizing that job titles alone do not determine comparability. It modifies wage discrimination regulations by removing geographic limitations and establishing a more rigorous standard for employers to justify wage differentials. Employers must now demonstrate that any wage differences are based on legitimate factors like seniority, merit, production quality, or other job-related considerations that are not sex-based, applied reasonably, and account for the entire wage differential. The bill also expands enforcement mechanisms by allowing the Attorney General to bring actions to collect unpaid wages on behalf of employees and extends the statute of limitations for wage discrimination claims, with provisions for both two-year and three-year timeframes depending on whether the violation is considered willful. Additionally, the bill clarifies that time spent on protected leaves (such as parental or medical leave) cannot reduce an employee's seniority, and provides protections to ensure that employers cannot reduce an employee's wages to comply with equal pay requirements.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=237