by By Gilberto K. Garcia | TheRocketFlame.com | May 8, 2025
HARRISBURG, PA — In a bold step toward closing the wage gap, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 630 on May 5, 2025. The bill targets wage discrimination based on gender, race, and ethnicity.
The legislation was introduced by Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-Chester) and is seen as a major move toward protecting workers across the Commonwealth. Supporters say it will help make equal pay a reality in Pennsylvania.
One key part of the bill prevents employers from paying less based on someone’s demographic background. It also shields workers from retaliation if they report or challenge wage discrimination.
Another powerful provision in HB 630 bans employers from using a job applicant’s salary history to determine their new wage offer. This move is meant to stop the cycle of underpayment that affects many workers, especially women and people of color.
Rep. Shusterman stressed that Pennsylvania is falling behind other states when it comes to wage equity. “The pay gap is holding our workers back,” she said. “It leads to more poverty among women and less financial security over a lifetime.”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, as of 2023, women in Pennsylvania earned just 80.9% of what men earned on average. That gap adds up over time and affects families, retirement savings, and local economies.
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research found that closing the wage gap could reduce poverty for working women and single mothers by nearly 40% in Pennsylvania alone.
Advocates say HB 630 is long overdue. They point out that women of color face even greater wage disparities and often suffer the most from wage discrimination.
Supporters argue the bill is not just about fairness—it’s about strengthening families and improving economic stability across the state.
Now that the bill has passed the House, it heads to the Pennsylvania Senate for further debate. If approved, it would align the state with national best practices to close the gender and racial wage gaps.
The passage of House Bill 630 represents a strong commitment to equal pay and workplace fairness. It’s a major step toward ending wage discrimination in Pennsylvania.
As the legislation moves forward, advocates remain hopeful that this effort will bring lasting change—and a more equal future—for all Pennsylvania workers.
