Democratic lawmakers marked Equal Pay Day on Thursday by highlighting persistent wage disparities in Connecticut while backing legislation that would require employers to disclose salary ranges and benefits in job postings.
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Democratic lawmakers marked Equal Pay Day on Thursday by highlighting persistent wage disparities in Connecticut while backing legislation that would require employers to disclose salary ranges and benefits in job postings, a proposal that has drawn opposition from the state’s largest business group.
State Rep. Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford) joined several legislators to promote House Bill 5387, which would mandate wage and benefit disclosures in public and internal job advertisements and require employers to share that information with applicants and employees.
According to the lawmakers, Equal Pay Day represents how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. In Connecticut, women working full time, year-round earn about 83 cents for every dollar earned by men, according to data cited by lawmakers. The gap is wider for Black and Latina women.
Supporters say the bill would increase transparency and help address gender and racial wage gaps.
However, the Connecticut Business & Industry Association opposes the measure, arguing it would impose new compliance burdens and increase legal risks for employers.
In testimony to the legislature, the group said the bill would require employers to disclose wage ranges and benefits in all job postings, provide that information earlier in the hiring process and issue annual disclosures to employees.
CBIA said those requirements could reduce flexibility in hiring and compensation decisions, particularly for roles where pay depends on experience or evolving business needs. The organization also raised concerns about expanded liability, noting the bill allows for statutory and punitive damages and a two-year window to bring claims.
The group said the proposal could lead to increased litigation over technical violations and create additional administrative work, especially for small and midsize businesses.
Lawmakers, meanwhile, said the wage gap in Connecticut has widened in recent years and that greater transparency is one approach to addressing disparities in pay.
The bill was approved by the legislature’s Labor and Public Employees Committee on March 12 in a 9-4 partisan vote, with all nine Democrats voting in favor and all four Republicans opposed.
