Louisiana House Bill HB878

Louisiana 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/14/16

Caption

Requires that any contractor who enters into a contract with a public entity comply with the Louisiana Equal Pay for Women Act

Impact

The introduction of HB 878 is aimed at reinforcing the importance of pay equity within public sector contracts. By legislating that all contractors must conform to the Louisiana Equal Pay for Women Act, the bill seeks to eliminate pay discrimination based on sex among contractors and their sub-contractors. Consequently, this will likely influence existing laws and practices around employment and compensation in Louisiana, creating a more standardized approach to pay equity across public contracts.

Summary

House Bill 878 mandates compliance with the Louisiana Equal Pay for Women Act for contractors engaging in contracts with public entities. The legislation stipulates that all contractors must ensure pay equality for all employees regardless of gender when entering public contracts, thereby extending the provisions of the existing Equal Pay law to the public contracting sector. This requirement applies to all contracts that involve public funds, ensuring that gender discrimination in pay is addressed within the scope of public work and services.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding HB 878 is likely supportive among advocates for gender equality and fair pay practices. Proponents argue that this legislation offers crucial protections for women and aligns public contracting practices with equity-focused policies. However, it may prompt concerns among some contractors about increased compliance costs and administrative burdens, although these issues are typically outweighed by the benefits of promoting fair pay.

Contention

Notable points of contention center around the enforcement and implications of this legislation. Critics may argue about the potential for increased bureaucracy and the complexities involved in verifying compliance through sworn affidavits that contractors are required to submit. Additionally, there could be discussions about the potential impact on small businesses that lack the resources to navigate these new compliance requirements fully. Despite these challenges, the overarching goal remains focused on promoting equality in pay across all sectors of public contracts.