SB 2253 Summary

• Expands Hawaii's equal pay law to prohibit wage discrimination based on race, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, color, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest/court record, and domestic/sexual violence victim status, not just sex.

• Changes "equal work" standard to "substantially similar work" when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility performed under similar working conditions.

• Clarifies that compensation differentials are permissible only if solely resulting from non-discriminatory seniority systems, merit systems, objective production measures, or factors that neither purpose nor effect discrimination.

• Requires employers to disclose pay scales and salary ranges to job applicants, provide wage ranges to employees upon hire and annually, and include hourly rates or salary ranges in all job listings.

• Prohibits employers from inquiring about or considering applicants' prior salary history when determining compensation, though applicants may voluntarily disclose salary expectations.