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Bill > H0149


VT H0149

An act relating to expanding equal pay protections


summary

Introduced
02/05/2025
In Committee
02/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Session

Bill Summary

This bill proposes to extend equal pay protections to individuals in all protected classes.

AI Summary

This bill expands equal pay protections in Vermont by amending existing employment discrimination law to include additional protected classes when determining wage discrimination. Specifically, the bill adds color, religion, ancestry, place of birth, age, and crime victim status to the existing provisions that prohibit pay differences based on sex, race, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The law maintains existing exceptions for wage differentials based on legitimate factors such as seniority, merit, production quantity or quality, or other bona fide job-related considerations. Employers who wish to pay different wages under these exceptions must demonstrate that the differential does not perpetuate compensation disparities based on the protected characteristics, is job-related, and based on a legitimate business consideration. The bill includes a provision that employers cannot reduce other employees' wages to comply with the expanded equal pay requirements. The amendments will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving employers time to review and adjust their compensation practices to ensure compliance with the expanded protections.

Committee Categories

Housing and Urban Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing (on 02/05/2025)

bill text


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