Pennsylvania bill proposed to modernize equal pay

Kayla Schmidt
·2 min read

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — A bill aimed to modernize Pennsylvania’s equal pay law will soon be proposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Women’s Equal Pay Day landed last Tuesday, but the State House is back in session today where we could see House Bill 98 under discussion, which is designed to close the pay gap between men and women.

“It should have bipartisan support, it’s equal pay,” Rep. Jennifer O’Mara said.

House Bill 98 is referred to as the Pennsylvania Equal Pay Act For All. Currently, the prime sponsor for the bill is Democratic Representative Donna Bullock who serves part of Philadelphia County, and the Co-sponsor for the bill is Rep. O’Mara.

“When you look at women not earning enough, that’s going to impact them later in life when they have less social security collected, and we have an average longer lifespan than men do,” Rep. O’Mara stated.

“I just feel like we need to address this now.”

Women in Pennsylvania currently make $.84 to the dollar compared to their male counterparts; all the while, the minimum wage in the Keystone state still sits at $7.25 per hour.

O’Mara also says that they are in the process of reviewing the legislation with stakeholders and getting feedback. The legislation is scheduled to run out of committee when they are back in Harrisburg, which is today Monday, March 18.

Based on all the co-sponsors being Democrats, this push seems to be a partisan effort, but we can’t say for sure until a vote is taken.

“Women live in every district across this Commonwealth, women vote in every district across this commonwealth. Women’s rights are not partisan. And I really hope my colleagues start treating it that way,” Rep. O’Mara added.

Rep. O’Mara says they should have two sessions this month and she hopes to see the legislation hit the Senate floor as soon as a house vote has been taken.

abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

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