PRIA Logo™
Start Free Watch
114-hr-1619114th Congress

Paycheck Fairness Act

Sponsored By: Representative DeLauro

Unknown

Summary

Paycheck Fairness Act Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for, enforcement of, and exceptions to prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Revises the exception to the prohibition for a wage rate differential based on any other factor other than sex. Limits such factors to bona fide factors, such as education, training, or experience. States that the bona fide factor defense shall apply only if the employer demonstrates that such factor: (1) is not based upon or derived from a sex-based differential in compensation, (2) is job-related with respect to the position in question, (3) is consistent with business necessity, and (4) accounts for the entire deferential in compensation at issue. Makes such defense inapplicable where the employee demonstrates that: (1) an alternative employment practice exists that would serve the same business purpose without producing such differential, and (2) the employer has refused to adopt such alternative practice. Revises the prohibition against employer retaliation for employee complaints. Prohibits retaliation for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of the employee or another employee in response to a complaint or charge, or in furtherance of a sex discrimination investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, or an investigation conducted by the employer. Makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages. Makes employers who violate sex discrimination prohibitions liable in a civil action for either compensatory or (except for the federal government) punitive damages. States that any action brought to enforce the prohibition against sex discrimination may be maintained as a class action in which individuals may be joined as party plaintiffs without their written consent. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in a sex discrimination action. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for negotiation skills training programs for girls and women. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Education to issue regulations or policy guidance to integrate such training into certain programs under their Departments. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and provide information to employers, labor organizations, and the general public regarding the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. 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. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation data and other employment-related data (including hiring, termination, and promotion data) disaggregated by the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in the enforcement of federal laws prohibiting pay discrimination. Directs: (1) the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to continue to collect data on woman workers in the Current Employment Statistics survey, (2) the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to use specified types of methods in investigating compensation discrimination and in enforcing pay equity, and (3) the Secretary to make accurate information on compensation discrimination readily available to the public. Directs the Secretary and the Commissioner [sic] of the EEOC jointly to develop technical assistance material to assist small businesses to comply with the requirements of this Act.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

DeLauro

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Bishop

    GA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Courtney

    CT • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Crowley, Joseph [D-NY-14]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Vargas

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • DeGette

    CO • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Chris Van Hollen

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • DelBene

    WA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • DeSaulnier

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Dingell

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Doggett

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Doyle, Michael F. [D-PA-14]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Tammy Duckworth

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Edwards, Donna F. [D-MD-4]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Esty, Elizabeth H. [D-CT-5]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Farr, Sam [D-CA-20]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Tsongas, Niki [D-MA-3]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Foster

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Fudge, Marcia L. [D-OH-11]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Torres (CA)

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Ruben Gallego

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Garamendi

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Graham, Gwen [D-FL-2]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Tonko

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Titus

    NV • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Thompson (CA)

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Grijalva

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Hahn, Janice [D-CA-44]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Heck, Denny [D-WA-10]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-26]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Himes

    CT • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Hinojosa, Ruben [D-TX-15]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-17]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Hoyer

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Huffman

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-3]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Jeffries

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Johnson (GA)

    GA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Kaptur

    OH • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Keating

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Kelly (IL)

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Pelosi

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Matsui

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Frankel, Lois

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Adams

    NC • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Aguilar

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3]

    KY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Beatty

    OH • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Becerra, Xavier [D-CA-34]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Beyer

    VA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Wilson (FL)

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Watson Coleman

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Bonamici

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Boyle (PA)

    PA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Brady, Robert A. [D-PA-1]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Brown, Corrine [D-FL-5]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Brownley

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Bustos, Cheri [D-IL-17]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Waters

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Capps, Lois [D-CA-24]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-7]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Wasserman Schultz

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Carney, John C., Jr. [D-DE-At Large]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Carson

    IN • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Walz, Timothy J. [D-MN-1]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Castor (FL)

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Castro (TX)

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Chu

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Clark (MA)

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Clarke (NY)

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Velazquez

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Cleaver

    MO • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Clyburn

    SC • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Veasey

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Connolly

    VA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Cooper, Jim [D-TN-5]

    TN • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Costa

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Cuellar

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Kennedy, Joseph P., III [D-MA-4]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann [D-AZ-1]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Larsen (WA)

    WA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Larson (CT)

    CT • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-9]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Lieu

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Takano

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Loebsack, David [D-IA-2]

    IA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Lofgren

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Lujan Grisham, Michelle [D-NM-1]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Lynch

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • McCollum

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • McGovern

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Meeks

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Meng

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Moore (WI)

    WI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Moulton

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Takai, Mark [D-HI-1]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Nadler

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-32]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Swalwell

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Nolan, Richard M. [D-MN-8]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Norcross

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Pallone

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Smith (WA)

    WA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Peters

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Peterson, Collin C. [D-MN-7]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Pingree

    ME • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]

    VI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Pocan

    WI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Polis, Jared [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Quigley

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-13]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Rice, Kathleen M. [D-NY-4]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY-25]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ-9]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Sherman

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Sewell

    AL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Sanchez

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Sanchez, Loretta [D-CA-46]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Schakowsky

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Adam Schiff

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Scott, David

    GA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Scott (VA)

    VA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Serrano, Jose E. [D-NY-15]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Fattah, Chaka [D-PA-2]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Ashford, Brad [D-NE-2]

    NE • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Bera

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Delaney, John K. [D-MD-6]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Gabbard, Tulsi [D-HI-2]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Green, Al (TX)

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Green, Gene [D-TX-29]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Perlmutter, Ed [D-CO-7]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-8]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Murphy, Patrick [D-FL-18]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Cárdenas, Tony [D-CA-29]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Cohen

    TN • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Davis (IL)

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Grayson, Alan [D-FL-9]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Neal

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Richmond, Cedric L. [D-LA-2]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Ruiz

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Thompson (MS)

    MS • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Vela, Filemon [D-TX-34]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2015

  • Rep. Clay, Wm. Lacy [D-MO-1]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 3/26/2015

  • Rep. Lipinski, Daniel [D-IL-3]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/26/2015

  • Resident Commissioner Pierluisi, Pedro R. [D-PR-At Large]

    PR • D

    Sponsored 3/26/2015

  • Rep. Visclosky, Peter J. [D-IN-1]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 4/13/2015

  • Peter Welch

    VT • D

    Sponsored 4/13/2015

  • Rep. O'Rourke, Beto [D-TX-16]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2015

  • Del. Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [D-GU-At Large]

    GU • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2015

  • Del. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large]

    MP • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2015

  • Smith (NJ)

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 4/14/2015

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in