Massachusetts Legislature Passes Sweeping Equal Pay Amendments

The law, which the governor is expected to sign, features a new "substantially similar" standard, strict limits on seeking compensation history, and an affirmative defense for good-faith self-evaluations.

The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed, and Governor Charlie Baker is expected to sign into law, a pay equity bill geared toward closing the gender wage gap and ensuring equal pay for "comparable work" among men and women. The Massachusetts House and Senate voted unanimously in favor of a final bill on July 23. The bill, which is receiving support from both business groups and women's rights groups, must be signed by the governor, or sent back to the House and Senate with recommended changes, no later than August 2.