Paycheck Fairness Act

Bill: 117-hr-7
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Introduced: 2021-01-28 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Contracts and agency
Department of Education
Department of Labor
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Labor standards
Minority employment
Public contracts and procurement
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Small business
Temporary and part-time employment
Wages and earnings
Women's employment
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: 

Paycheck Fairness Act

 
This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex. Specifically, it (1) limits an employer's defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, (2) enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, (3) makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages, and (4) increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions. 
 
Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination. 
The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program for negotiation skills training for girls and women, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination. 
The bill also establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. 
Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination. 

action_date: 2021-04-05
text: 

Paycheck Fairness Act

 
This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex, which is defined to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
 
Specifically, it limits an employer's defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, and makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions. 
 
Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination. 
The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program for negotiation skills training for girls and women, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination. 
The bill also establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. 
Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination. 
 

action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Paycheck Fairness Act

 
This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex, which is defined to include pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
 
Specifically, it limits an employer's defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, and makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions. 
 
Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination. 
The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program to provide training in negotiation skills related to compensation and equitable working conditions, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination. 
The bill establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. It also establishes the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to address compliance, public education, and enforcement of equal pay laws. 
Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination. 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-08
text: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 50. Record Vote Number: 227. (CR S3981)
action_date: 2021-05-28
text: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S3928)
action_date: 2021-05-28
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S3928)
action_date: 2021-04-20
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 46.
action_date: 2021-04-19
text: Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 210 (Roll no. 108).
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 210 (Roll no. 108).
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1826-1829)
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX, further consideration of H.R. 7 was postponed until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Miller-Meeks amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Foxx demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Miller-Meeks amendment No. 4.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Scott (VA) amendment en bloc No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Foxx demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Scott (VA) amendment en bloc No. 1.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7 and H.R. 1195. Rule provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 7 and provides one motion to recommit. Rule also provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 1195 and provides one motion to recommit.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 303. (consideration: CR H1799-1825)
action_date: 2021-04-13
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 303 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7 and H.R. 1195. Rule provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 7 and provides one motion to recommit. Rule also provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 1195 and provides one motion to recommit.
action_date: 2021-04-05
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.
action_date: 2021-04-05
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-13.
action_date: 2021-04-05
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-13.
action_date: 2021-03-24
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 22.
action_date: 2021-03-24
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: Introduced in House