H.R. 7 · 117th Congress · House

Paycheck Fairness Act

In Congress· 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)
Introduced
Jan 28, 21
Passed House
Apr 15, 21
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

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.

Previous Versions

07Apr 5, 2021

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.

00Jan 28, 2021

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 Timeline

29
  1. JUN 08, 2021Floor

    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)

    49Yea
    50Nay
    0NV
  2. MAY 28, 2021Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S3928)

  3. MAY 28, 2021Floor

    Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S3928)

  4. APR 20, 2021Calendars

    Read the second time

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 46.

  5. APR 19, 2021Calendars

    Received in the Senate

    Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

  6. APR 15, 2021Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H

    Res. 303. (consideration: CR H1799-1825)

    1799Yea
    1825Nay
    0NV
  7. APR 15, 2021Floor

    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.

  8. APR 15, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7.

  9. APR 15, 2021Floor

    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.

  10. APR 15, 2021Floor

    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.

  11. APR 15, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H

    Res. 303, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Miller-Meeks amendment No. 4.

  12. APR 15, 2021Floor

    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.

  13. APR 15, 2021Floor

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX, further consideration of H.R. 7 was postponed until a time to be announced.

  14. APR 15, 2021Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H1826-1829)

    1826Yea
    1829Nay
    0NV
  15. APR 15, 2021Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table

    Agreed to without objection.

  16. APR 15, 2021Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table

    Agreed to without objection.

  17. APR 15, 2021Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  18. APR 15, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #108

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 210 (Roll no. 108).

    217Yea
    210Nay
    0NV
  19. APR 15, 2021Floor

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #108

    217 - 210 (Roll no. 108).

    217Yea
    210Nay
    0NV
  20. APR 15, 2021Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  21. APR 13, 2021Floor

    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.

  22. APR 05, 2021Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-13.

    117Yea
    13Nay
    0NV
  23. APR 05, 2021Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-13.

    117Yea
    13Nay
    0NV
  24. APR 05, 2021Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.

  25. MAR 24, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  26. MAR 24, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 22.

    25Yea
    22Nay
    0NV
  27. JAN 28, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  28. JAN 28, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  29. JAN 28, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Committees

3

Education and Workforce Committee

hsed00

Referred: Apr 5, 2021

Active

Education and Workforce Committee

hsed00

Referred: Mar 24, 2021

Active

Education and Workforce Committee

hsed00

Referred: Jan 28, 2021

Active