MS HB771

Prohibits employers in Mississippi, including state and local government entities, from paying employees of one sex less than employees of another sex for equal work requiring equal skill, effort, education, experience, and responsibility under similar working conditions.

Permits wage differentials based on seniority systems, merit systems, production-based earnings systems, or factors other than sex.

Makes employers liable to affected employees for unpaid wages plus interest resulting from equal pay violations.

Requires employees filing claims to demonstrate they received lower pay despite equal qualifications and that the wage schedule was not correlated to permissible conditions under the act.

Establishes a two-year statute of limitations for civil actions and prevents double recovery if an employee also recovers under federal equal pay laws by requiring return of the lesser amount recovered.