Equal Pay (H 6180, S 0721A as amended)

Legislation sought to address wage discrimination in Rhode Island by making it easier for individuals facing wage differentials to file a civil action against their employer, during which it would be up to the employer to demonstrate that the wage gap was on the basis of something other than sex.

The State of Rhode Island came close this year to eliminating the wage disparity between the sexes. Despite laws to the contrary, women nationwide generally earn just 77% of the wages earned by men, with that percentage dropping significantly for women of color. Legislation sought to address the issue in Rhode Island by making it easier for individuals facing wage differentials to file a civil action against their employer, during which it would be up to the employer to demonstrate that the wage gap was on the basis of something other than sex. The ACLU testified before the House and Senate Labor committees in support of this legislation in May. Although the Senate passed the legislation in June, the House failed to move on the bill in time, and the legislation died.