House Bill No. 6517 seeks to improve transparency in employment practices by requiring employers to disclose salary ranges and benefits in both public and internal job postings. The bill introduces new definitions for terms such as "Benefits," "Wages," and "Wage range," while repealing previous definitions. It prohibits employers from restricting employees' rights to discuss wages or inquire about others' wages, and it mandates that employers provide wage ranges and a general description of benefits to applicants and employees upon request or during the hiring process.

Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for employers who violate these provisions, allowing employees or prospective employees to seek statutory damages ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, along with compensatory damages and attorney's fees. It clarifies that these provisions apply to positions performed within the state or those requiring reporting to a state location, and it sets a two-year statute of limitations for bringing actions against violations. Key changes include the prohibition of retaliation against individuals exercising their rights under the wage disclosure law and the removal of a previous exemption for employers from disclosing employee wages. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 31-40z
LAB Joint Favorable: 31-40z
File No. 506: 31-40z