Louisiana House Bill HB387

Louisiana 2016 Regular Session

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

Caption

Provides for the re-creation of the Equal Pay Commission within the La. Workforce Commission (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

Impact

The re-creation of the Equal Pay Commission is set to significantly impact Louisiana's labor laws by addressing wage disparities that affect women and minorities. Members of this commission will include representatives from various sectors such as business, labor, and academia, collectively tasked with gathering data and proposing actionable strategies. By focusing on these disparities, the commission’s findings could influence future legislation and lead to broader economic reforms aimed at fostering an equitable workplace environment across the state.

Summary

House Bill 387 aims to re-establish the Equal Pay Commission within the Louisiana Workforce Commission, which will focus on studying wage disparities between genders and racial minorities. This bill is important as it renews a body that had previously been inactive, with the commission tasked to analyze the causes and consequences of these disparities, and to recommend legislative actions to mitigate them. It's an initiative that seeks to address long-standing issues of inequality in wage distribution in both public and private sectors, marking a potential step forward for wage fairness in Louisiana.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 387 appears to be generally supportive among those advocating for gender and racial equity in employment. Proponents believe that the commission can help shed light on critical issues related to wage gaps and can lead to meaningful policy changes. However, there may also be contention from individuals or groups who believe that such initiatives could impose undue burdens on businesses or argue against government involvement in salary determinations.

Contention

Notable points of contention include debates on the effectiveness of existing measures to combat wage disparities and concerns from business interests about the implications of more regulations. Some stakeholders may argue that the commission’s focus on disparities could lead to unwanted regulatory oversight that complicates wage settings for employers. Additionally, ensuring accurate representation on the commission to adequately reflect the interests of all communities also presents a potential challenge.