The "South Carolina State Employee Equal Pay for Equal Work Act" aims to ensure that state employees receive equal compensation for the same kind, grade, and quality of work, regardless of gender. The bill introduces new provisions that prohibit gender-based wage discrimination among state employees and outlines definitions, exceptions, and specific employer actions that are prohibited. It establishes that employees performing similar work under similar conditions should be compensated equally, and it provides a framework for administrative and judicial remedies for violations of this act.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions that protect employees from retaliation for asserting their rights under this act, such as discussing wages or filing complaints. It mandates that employers must investigate any written notice of alleged violations within sixty days and allows employees to seek recourse through the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission or the court system if their concerns are not adequately addressed. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to complaints of wage discrimination occurring after June 30, 2025.