State Senate Approves Pay Equity Bill

The state Senate gave final approval May 4 to a bill that seeks to close gender-based pay gaps by prohibiting employers from inquiring about a job candidate’s salary history.
The Senate approved HB 5386 by a 35-1 margin.
It is now headed to Governor Dannel Malloy’s desk, and he has already expressed his support for the legislation and his intention to sign it.
The bill prevents an employer from asking about a job applicant’s salary history but does allow inquiries into other aspects of compensation, including retirement benefits, health benefits, and commissions—providing no inquiry is made into the dollar value of those items.
“This bill will make pay equity more attainable, while minimally impacting the ability of Connecticut companies to compete,” CBIA noted in a statement following HB 5386’s passage in the state House last month.
“While this is a significant change to the hiring process in Connecticut, employers understand the need to address this issue and are willing to do their part.”
Pending the governor’s signature, the new law takes effect January 1, 2019.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Eric Gjede (860.480.1784) | @egjede