HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers are renewing pressure on the state Senate to advance an equal pay bill that supporters say could reduce poverty and address persistent wage gaps across the Commonwealth.
What This Means for You
- A proposed law could expand protections against wage discrimination
- Employers may be barred from using salary history in hiring decisions
- The bill remains stalled in a Senate committee with no scheduled vote
State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, joined fellow lawmakers and advocates Tuesday at the Capitol to urge passage of House Bill 630, which seeks to update Pennsylvania’s equal pay law.
Why Lawmakers Say Action Is Needed
According to data cited from the U.S. Department of Labor, women in Pennsylvania earned 82.4% of what men earned in 2025, trailing the national average and several neighboring states.
Supporters say the gap contributes to higher poverty rates, lower lifetime earnings, and reduced retirement savings for women.
“Creating equal pay means increasing economic gains in the Commonwealth,” Shusterman said. “That is a commonsense win for everyone, but most importantly for women and their families.”
What the Bill Would Change
House Bill 630 would prohibit wage discrimination based on gender, race, or ethnicity and expand protections for employees raising concerns about pay disparities.
It would also ban employers from using a job applicant’s prior salary history to set wages — a practice lawmakers say can perpetuate inequities.
The legislation further requires employers to include pay ranges in job postings and increases penalties for violations, with fines ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 per day per employee.
Jargon Buster
Comparable Work: Jobs that require similar skill, effort, and responsibility, even if the job titles are different, allowing pay comparisons across similar roles rather than identical positions.
Legislative Status and Debate
The bill passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Monday, May 5, 2025, by a narrow 102–101 vote.
It was referred to the Senate Labor and Industry Committee on Friday, May 16, 2025, where it remains without a scheduled vote as of late March 2026.
Supporters, including House Speaker Joanna McClinton, said delays have prolonged efforts to address pay disparities.
“The first Equal Pay Day was recognized in 1996 — that was 30 years ago,” McClinton said. “Yet here we are in 2026, still waiting on Senate Republican leaders to act.”
At the same time, business groups such as the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry have raised concerns about the proposal, contributing to its stalled status in committee.
Next Steps
The bill would need to be reported out of committee and approved by the full Senate before becoming law.
If enacted, it would represent one of the most significant updates to Pennsylvania’s equal pay statute since 1967.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.