Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits employers from asking potential employees about their wage history.

Highlights:

• Requires an employer to provide to an applicant for employment the wage range for the position at the applicant’s request (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits an employer from retaliating against, or refusing to interview, hire, or employ an applicant for employment because the applicant did not provide a wage history or requested the wage range in accordance with the aforementioned provision (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes an employer, after making an initial offer for employment, to rely on the wage history voluntarily provided by an applicant to support a wage offer higher than the initial wage offered by the employer (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that none of the aforementioned provisions will prohibit an applicant from sharing wage history with an employer voluntarily (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the Commissioner to issue the following penalties for employers found to have violated the aforementioned provisions (Sec. 3):

• For a first violation, a letter to the employer compelling compliance;

• For a second violation, a civil penalty of up to $300; and

• For a third violation, a civil penalty of up to $600.

• Specifies that when determining the amount of a penalty, the commissioner will consider the following (Sec. 3):

• The gravity of the violation;

• The size of the employer’s business;

• The employer’s good faith; and

• The employer’s history of violations under this section.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits employers from asking potential employees about their wage history.

Highlights:

• Requires an employer to provide to an applicant for employment the wage range for the position at the applicant’s request (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits an employer from retaliating against, or refusing to interview, hire, or employ an applicant for employment because the applicant did not provide a wage history or requested the wage range in accordance with the aforementioned provision (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes an employer, after making an initial offer for employment, to rely on the wage history voluntarily provided by an applicant to support a wage offer higher than the initial wage offered by the employer (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that none of the aforementioned provisions will prohibit an applicant from sharing wage history with an employer voluntarily (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the Commissioner to issue the following penalties for employers found to have violated the aforementioned provisions (Sec. 3):

• For a first violation, a letter to the employer compelling compliance;

• For a second violation, a civil penalty of up to $300; and

• For a third violation, a civil penalty of up to $600.

• Specifies that when determining the amount of a penalty, the commissioner will consider the following (Sec. 3):

• The gravity of the violation;

• The size of the employer’s business;

• The employer’s good faith; and

• The employer’s history of violations under this section.

Full Bill Text