SB 889 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of December 17, 1959 (P.L.1913, No.694), known as the Equal Pay Law, further providing for definitions, for wage rates and for collection of unpaid wages.

SB 889 amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to strengthen protections against sex-based pay discrimination. It clarifies that "comparable work" requires similar skill, effort, and responsibility under similar conditions, and defines "wages" to include all compensation like bonuses and benefits. The bill prohibits employers from using past salary history to set new pay (except when a worker provides it to request higher pay) and bans retaliation for discussing wages or reporting violations. It also requires employers to justify any pay differences using legitimate, job-related factors like seniority or skills - not sex - and mandates that such factors must fully explain the wage gap. This directly affects workers and employers across Pennsylvania who set or receive wages.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jun 24, 2025 Last action Jun 24, 2025