Senator Monique Limón Announces Legislation to Bolster State Equal Pay Laws

(SACRAMENTO) – On Equal Pay Day and ten years after the passage of the Fair Pay Act, Senator Monique Limón is announcing new legislation to bolster the Fair Pay Act and provide workers with the opportunity to earn their fair share. 

Specifically SB 642 seeks to expand on her previous legislation, SB 1162 (2021), by defining an appropriate pay range on job postings in order to provide a clearer picture of what a potential employee may earn. The bill also seeks to strengthen the Fair Pay Act by clarifying what constitutes “wages,” providing workers with additional time to recover lost wages, and modernizes the law to include all workers. 

“The Golden State has one of the lowest wage gaps in the country, with women earning eighty-seven cents on the dollar, thanks in part to our strong equal pay laws, but more must be done to ensure workers are able to earn what they are truly owed,” said Senator Monique Limón. “According to the National Women’s Law Center, California women lose more than $350,000 over a forty year career to the wage gap – that is money for groceries, child care, rent, and so much more. The state must do more to support workers, put money they earned back into their pockets, and finally deliver true pay equity.” 

Since 2015, California has passed some of the nation’s strongest pay laws. Despite this, women still continue to earn less than their male counterparts. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, women make less in every job sector including managerial roles, nursing, and business and finance. With SB 642, California has an opportunity to move one step closer to closing the wage gap.

For more information on SB 642, click here. 

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Monique Limón represents the 21st Senate District, which includes Santa Barbara, Ventura, Goleta, Buellton, Carpinteria, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Solvang, Camarillo, Fillmore, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Port Hueneme, Blacklake, Callender, Grover Beach, Los Berros, Nipomo, Oceano, Woodlands. She currently serves as the Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, Vice Chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus and Vice Chair of the Central Coast Caucus.