Committee approves equal pay legislation

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A House of Representatives committee has advanced legislation that seeks to end Alabama’s status as one of two states without an equal pay for equal work law.

The House Commerce and Small Business Committee on Tuesday approved the bill by Rep. Adeline Clarke of Mobile.

It would prohibit businesses from paying workers less than employees of another race or gender without reasons such as seniority, a merit system or productivity to account for the difference.

The committee approved the bill without a dissenting vote. It now moves to the House floor.

Clarke says she believes most businesses are paying employees equitably, but she said it is important to have a state law for when problems arise.

Clarke says Alabama and Mississippi are the two states without pay equity laws.

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