HB 5383 Summary

• Requires employers to disclose wage ranges to applicants upon request or before making a compensation offer, and to employees upon hiring and annually thereafter.

• Prohibits employers from inquiring about prospective employees' wage and salary history unless the prospective employee voluntarily discloses it, except where authorized by federal or state law.

• Protects employees' rights to discuss and inquire about wages with coworkers, and prohibits retaliation or disciplinary action for wage discussions.

• Expands equal pay protections by changing the standard from "equal work" to "comparable work" evaluated as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions.

• Establishes civil remedies for violations including compensatory damages, attorney's fees, costs, punitive damages, and equitable relief; claims must be filed within two years of violation; effective October 1, 2020.