The bill seeks to repeal sections 290.400 to 290.460 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri and introduces six new sections focused on employment practices related to gender discrimination. It defines key terms such as "employee," "employer," and "wage rates," and explicitly prohibits gender-based wage discrepancies for equal work, allowing exceptions only for seniority, merit, or other legitimate factors. The bill establishes a process for employees to file complaints about wage inequities and outlines the responsibilities of the labor and industrial relations commission in mediating these disputes. Employers found in violation may face penalties including lost wages and compensatory damages, with protections against retaliation for employees asserting their rights. Significant amendments to section 290.410 empower courts to prevent future violations by employers and require corrective actions, such as reclassifying affected workers. The bill also allows for the recovery of court costs and attorney's fees for employees who win civil actions, regardless of prior wage agreements, and sets a two-year statute of limitations for such actions. Enhanced enforcement mechanisms include the possibility of punitive damages for repeated violations, and the commission's role is revised to focus on eliminating employment discrimination based on sex, without specific reference to "female" employees. Overall, the bill aims to bolster protections against gender-based pay discrimination and improve recourse for affected employees.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (6305H.01): 290.400, 290.410, 290.420, 290.430, 290.440, 290.450, 290.460