DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 928 Original 2016 Regular Session Norton
Abstract: Provides that pay equality shall extend to all persons employed in the state of La.
Present law provides that women employed as public employees shall be entitled to the same
compensation as men employed as public employees.
Proposed law extends present law to provide that pay equality shall apply to all employed in the
state.
Present law defines "employer" as any department, office, division, agency, commission, board,
committee, or other organizational unit of the state.
Proposed law extends present law to provide that an "employer" is an individual, partnership,
corporation, association, business, trust, person, labor organization as defined in this Section, or
entity for whom fifteen or more employees are gainfully employed within the state and includes the
state of La. any state officer, any department or agency, any unit of local government, and any school
district.
Present law makes it unlawful for an employer to pay wages to an employee at a rate less than the
rate at which the employer pays wages to another employee of the opposite sex for the same or
substantially similar work in the same workplace. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that if the Human Rights Commission finds evidence of discriminatory action
on the part of the employer but fails to resolve the dispute, or fails to render a decision on the dispute
within 120 days, the employee may institute a civil suit in the 19th Judicial District Court.
Proposed law changes the jurisdiction from the 19th Judicial District Court to any district court of
competent jurisdiction. Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Present law provides for a one-year prescriptive period for bringing any action to recover from the
time the employee knows about the violation. Proposed law retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 23:662, 663, 665, and 667(A))