Washington Governor Signs Legislation That Makes Pay Discrimination Based On Gender A Misdemeanor, Prohibits Other Gender Inequity

Under a bill signed by Washington Governor Jay Inslee on March 21, any employer in the state that "discriminates in any way in providing compensation based on gender between similarly employed employees" will be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Employers also may not, on the basis of gender, limit or deprive an employee of career advancement opportunities that would otherwise be available, except where there are bona fide job-related factors for doing so.

Source: H.B. 1506, L. 2018, http://hr.cch.com/eld/1506-S2PL.pdf