H.R. 7 - 117th Congress (2021-2022) - Paycheck Fairness Act

This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex. Specifically, it (1) limits an employer's defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, (2) enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, (3) makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages, and (4) increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions.

Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination.

The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program for negotiation skills training for girls and women, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination.

The bill also establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women.

Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination.

Text (4)

Placed on Calendar Senate

April 20, 2021

Engrossed in House

April 15, 2021

Reported in House

April 5, 2021

Introduced in House

January 28, 2021

Amendments (3)

Show All Amendments

Displaying only amendments with a detailed public record (2)

Apr 15, 2021

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 38

Amendment sought to provide a safe harbor for employers who conduct self-audits to identify and rectify potentially unlawful pay disparities and allow for reasonable employer defenses against trial lawyer abuses.

Active

Apr 15, 2021

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 37

Amendments en bloc comprised of amendments numbered 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, printed in Part B of House Report 117-15.

Agreed To

Actions (26)

Show Only Major Actions

06/08/2021

Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 50. Record Vote Number: 227. (CR S3981)

05/28/2021

Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S3928)

05/28/2021

Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S3928)

04/20/2021

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 46.

04/19/2021

Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

04/15/2021

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

04/15/2021

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 210 (Roll no. 108).

04/15/2021

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 210 (Roll no. 108).

04/15/2021

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

04/15/2021

Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.

04/15/2021

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1826-1829)

04/15/2021

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX, further consideration of H.R. 7 was postponed until a time to be announced.

04/15/2021

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Miller-Meeks amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Foxx demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

04/15/2021

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Miller-Meeks amendment No. 4.

04/15/2021

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Scott (VA) amendment en bloc No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Foxx demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

04/15/2021

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Scott (VA) amendment en bloc No. 1.

04/15/2021

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7.

04/15/2021

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7 and H.R. 1195. Rule provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 7 and provides one motion to recommit. Rule also provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 1195 and provides one motion to recommit.

04/15/2021

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 303. (consideration: CR H1799-1825)

04/13/2021

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 303 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7 and H.R. 1195. Rule provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 7 and provides one motion to recommit. Rule also provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 1195 and provides one motion to recommit.

04/05/2021

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.

04/05/2021

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-13.

03/24/2021

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 22.

03/24/2021

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

01/28/2021

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

01/28/2021

Introduced in House

Public Record

Record Updated

Mar 8, 2023 8:26:33 PM