MS HB1141

Amends Section 71-17-3 to define "wage history" as the wages paid to an applicant by their current or previous employer(s).

Prohibits employers with five or more employees from seeking, relying on, or using an applicant's wage history when considering applicants for employment or determining initial wages.

Allows employers to consider wage history only after making an initial compensation offer if the applicant voluntarily provides it without prompting, and only to justify wages higher than initially offered.

Establishes penalties for wage history violations including statutory damages up to $10,000, attorney's fees, back pay, prejudgment interest, and injunctive relief.

Protects employees from retaliation for refusing to provide wage history and takes effect July 1, 2024.