AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas House has narrowly passed a measure more closely conforming state law to the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act adopted in 2009.
The Ledbetter Act requires employers to prove that differences in pay are related to qualifications, not to gender. It also allows more time for employees to sue employers for discrimination.
House Bill 950 modifies Texas law, allowing a longer window to file a discrimination suit beyond the current 180-day period following the original pay decision. Doing so means state law would more-closely mirror federal statute.
The bill was supported by female lawmakers from both parties, but opposed by many male conservatives. It passed 74 to 65 on Wednesday.
The measure must clear a final procedural step in the House before heading to the state Senate.
The Ledbetter Act requires employers to prove that differences in pay are related to qualifications, not to gender. It also allows more time for employees to sue employers for discrimination.
House Bill 950 modifies Texas law, allowing a longer window to file a discrimination suit beyond the current 180-day period following the original pay decision. Doing so means state law would more-closely mirror federal statute.
The bill was supported by female lawmakers from both parties, but opposed by many male conservatives. It passed 74 to 65 on Wednesday.
The measure must clear a final procedural step in the House before heading to the state Senate.
(What's wrong with Republicans? Why would they have fought so hard against this bill? Anything that benefits the average man is somehow against big business they believe. So to keep big business happy Republicans falsely believe they have to strip or limit employee and/or consumer rights. What a shame.)
