HB225 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Adline ClarkeRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Discrimination in wages, prohib., retaliation against employee who brings charge of wage discrimination, prohib., penalties

Summary

Alabama's Clarke-Figures Equal Pay Act bars wage discrimination based on sex or race for equal work and adds wage-history protections for job applicants and employees.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits paying employees at lower wage rates for equal work based on sex or race unless allowed by specific factors. Bans employers from interviewing or hiring someone or promoting them because they won’t provide wage history. Establishes liability for back pay and interest, requires recordkeeping of wages and job details, and sets time limits for bringing a claim. Ties Alabama enforcement to federal rules in some cases and sets an effective date when the act becomes law.

Who It Affects

• Employees who might be paid less for equal work due to sex or race and who could receive back pay plus interest if discrimination is found.
• Employers (including state and local governments) and job applicants, who must follow wage-history restrictions, maintain required records, and may face liability if violations occur.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits pay discrimination for equal work based on sex or race, with exceptions for seniority systems, merit systems, production-based pay, or any differential based on factors other than sex or race.
• Requires recordkeeping by employers (over 50 employees keep wage and job records for 3 years; fewer than 50 follow FLSA recordkeeping rules) and prohibits discrimination in hiring practices based on wage history, with specified pleading requirements and remedies for violations.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Business and Labor