New Jersey Senate Bill S1320

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/22
• Refer: 2/3/22

Caption

Requires bidder on State contract to be evaluated on report of its gender-based pay equity and job equality standards for its employees.

Impact

The implications of S1320 on state laws include a shift towards enforcing gender equity in employment practices, particularly within organizations that conduct business with the state. The bill intends not only to highlight existing inequities but also to incentivize bidders to address and remedy any disparities before participating in state contracting. By doing so, it fosters a more equitable environment for job classifications and pay, which is expected to resonate throughout the broader workforce in New Jersey as private companies may also feel public pressure to conform to these standards.

Summary

Senate Bill S1320, introduced in the New Jersey legislature, mandates that any bidder for a state contract be assessed based on their adherence to gender-based pay equity and job equality standards. The legislation requires the Division of Purchase and Property within the State Department of the Treasury to implement a system whereby bidders provide detailed reports on the pay rates of male and female employees performing similar work and the gender distribution within job titles. This initiative aims to foster greater transparency and accountability regarding gender pay disparities in state contracting processes.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding S1320 include concerns from some business sectors about the feasibility and administrative burden of complying with the new reporting requirements. Critics argue that it may disadvantage smaller businesses that may lack the resources to conduct comprehensive pay equity analyses. Moreover, there are debates within legislative corridors regarding the potential exclusion of certain contracts from these provisions, specifically those needing immediate execution or those funded in part by federal resources, questioning whether these exemptions ultimately dilute the effectiveness of the legislation.