Gentile hails passage of bill to help close gender wage gap

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, Derby, applauded House passage of a bill Thursday that would help close the gender wage gap and ensure women earn equal pay for equal work. 

Linda M. Gentile

House Bill 5386 passed the state House of Representatives with bipartisan support in a 142-4 vote. 

The legislation, which would help ensure women earn equal pay for equal work, now heads to the state Senate for further consideration.

Gentile said, “I am ecstatic to see this legislation finally poised to become law once the Senate votes on it and the governor signs it. While we still face serious challenges with respect to equal opportunities and gender pay gap, I am optimistic that this measure will lead us on the right path towards equality.”

In Connecticut, women working full-time earn 83-cents for every dollar paid to men. Each year, Connecticut women lose a combined $5.5 billion due to the wage gap.

Under this legislation, employers would be prohibited from asking prospective employees about their previous wages.

“Eliminating the question about previous compensation from the application, will allow women in particular to get a fair shot at getting the pay they are qualified to earn at par with that of a male candidate for the same position,” Gentile said. “That’s a first step towards our ultimate goal.”

This is a press release from Gentile's office.