To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes.

3/26/2025, 8:06 AM

Summary of Bill HR 17

Bill 119 hr 17, also known as the Paycheck Fairness Act, aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 in order to provide better remedies for individuals who have experienced discrimination in their wages based on their gender. The bill seeks to address the gender pay gap by ensuring that women are paid the same as men for equal work.

The Paycheck Fairness Act includes provisions that would require employers to prove that any pay disparities between male and female employees are based on legitimate factors such as education, experience, or performance, rather than gender. It also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who discuss their wages with their colleagues.

Additionally, the bill would enhance the enforcement mechanisms available to individuals who have experienced wage discrimination. It would allow for the recovery of compensatory and punitive damages in cases of wage discrimination, and would also require the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to collect pay data from employers in order to better monitor and address pay disparities. Overall, the Paycheck Fairness Act seeks to strengthen protections for individuals who have experienced wage discrimination based on their gender, and to promote greater pay equity in the workforce.

Current Status of Bill HR 17

Bill HR 17 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 25, 2025. Bill HR 17 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on March 25, 2025. Bill HR 17's most recent activity was Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. as of March 25, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 17

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

216

Democrat Cosponsors

215

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 17

Primary Policy Focus

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 17

To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes.To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes.

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