An Act To Bring Wage Equity to the Workplace
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0698
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: GOODE, CRAVEN, BOLDUC, BRYANT, KUMIEGA, MORRISON, O'BRIEN, RUSSELL, STUCKEY, PATRICK
Amends: 22 MRSA §3174-Q, 26 MRSA §1303, 26 MRSA §1312

Legislative Document 
No. 698 
H.P. 527 
House of Representatives, February 23, 2011 
An Act To Bring Wage Equity to the Workplace 
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 18, 2011.  Referred to the Committee on 
Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and 
ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative GOODE of Bangor. 
Cosponsored by Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin and 
Representatives: BOLDUC of Auburn, BRYANT of Windham, KUMIEGA of Deer Isle, 
MORRISON of South Portland, O'BRIEN of Lincolnville, RUSSELL of Portland, STUCKEY 
of Portland, Senator: PATRICK of Oxford. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §3174-QQ is enacted to read: 
§3174-QQ.  Limitation on receipt of MaineCare funds 
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an employer employing 50 or 
more employees that is eligible for and receives MaineCare funds may not pay wages to 
its highest paid employee that are more than 10 times the wages paid to the lowest paid 
employee. Any employer who willfully and knowingly violates this section is subject to a 
fine of not less than $250 for each violation. 
Sec. 2.  26 MRSA §1303, as amended by PL 1997, c. 757, §1, is further amended 
to read: 
§1303.  Public works; minimum wage and benefits 
In the employment of laborers in the construction of public works, including state 
highways, by the State or by persons contracting for the construction, preference must 
first be given to citizens of the State who are qualified to perform the work to which the 
employment relates and, if they can not be obtained in sufficient numbers, then to citizens 
of the United States.  Every contract for public works construction must contain a 
provision for employing citizens of this State or the United States.  The hourly wage and 
benefit rate paid to laborers employed in the construction of public works, including state 
highways, may not be less than the fair minimum rate as determined in accordance with 
section 1308.  For employers employing 50 or more employees, the wages of the top 
earning employee at the workplace may not be more than 10 times that of the lowest paid 
employee. Any contractor who knowingly and willfully violates this section is subject to 
a fine of not less than $250 per employee violation.  Each day that any contractor 
employs a laborer at less than the wage and benefit minimum stipulated in this section 
constitutes a separate violation of this section. 
Sec. 3.  26 MRSA §1312, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2009, c. 452, §2, is further 
amended to read: 
1.  Violation by contractor or subcontractor.  Except as provided in section 1308, 
subsection 1-A, any contractor or subcontractor who willfully and knowingly violates 
section 1302-A or sections 1304 1303 to 1313 is subject to a forfeiture fine of not less 
than $250. 
Sec. 4.  36 MRSA c. 919-B is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 919-B 
LIMITATION 
§6906.  Limitation on receipt of benefit or tax credit 
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an employer is ineligible for a 
benefit pursuant to this Part or a tax credit pursuant to chapter 822 unless the wages of the 
highest paid employee of that employer are no more than 10 times the wages paid to the 
lowest paid employee of the employer. For purposes of this chapter, "employer" means a 
person with 50 or more employees, including a governmental entity, such as a county or 
municipality, and a charitable or educational institution. 
SUMMARY 
This bill prohibits the payment of wages to the highest paid employee that are 10 
times higher than the wages paid to the lowest paid employee at the same workplace if 
the employer has 50 or more employees and the employer receives a state tax credit, state 
tax break or state funds or is a contractor for public works construction.