SB 2137

AN ACT TO ENACT THE MISSISSIPPI EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK REFORM ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 71-17-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE NEW TERMS; TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO DETERMINE PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS; TO AMEND SECTION 71-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NO EMPLOYER MAY PAY AN EMPLOYEE A WAGE AT A RATE LESS THAN THE RATE AT WHICH AN EMPLOYEE WHO DOES NOT HAVE A PROTECTED CHARACTERISTIC IN THE SAME ESTABLISHMENT IS PAID FOR EQUAL WORK ON A JOB, THE PERFORMANCE OF WHICH REQUIRES EQUAL SKILL, EDUCATION, EFFORT AND RESPONSIBILITY, AND WHICH IS PERFORMED UNDER SIMILAR WORKING CONDITIONS EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO AUTHORIZE THE RECOVERY OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN CIVIL ACTIONS BY EMPLOYEES; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO FILE SUIT TO ENFORCE THIS CHAPTER; TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS FROM RETALIATING AGAINST ANY EMPLOYEE FOR DISCUSSING OR DISCLOSING HIS OR HER WAGES FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING WAGE DISPARITIES; TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO ENFORCE CHAPTER 17 OF TITLE 71; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO INVESTIGATE CLAIMS AND MEDIATE CLAIMS BETWEEN AN EMPLOYER AND AN EMPLOYEE TO DIRECT CODIFICATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.