HI HB1536

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 378-2.3 to clarify that employers cannot retaliate against employees for discussing or inquiring about wages of other employees.

Adds an exception to wage disclosure protections: discussions of employee wages by those with human resources, payroll, or legal professional responsibilities in the workplace are not prohibited.

Maintains existing equal pay protections that prohibit wage discrimination based on sex for equal work requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions.

Preserves existing defenses to equal pay claims, including differentials based on seniority systems, merit systems, production quality or quantity, bona fide occupational qualifications, or other permissible factors unrelated to sex.

Takes effect on January 1, 2050.