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Bill

HB 962

Employer seeking wage or salary history of prospective employees; prohibited, etc.

2026 Regular Session

Virginia bill bans employers from requesting job applicants' wage history to prevent salary discrimination and promote equitable compensation decisions.

Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2
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Bill Summary · HB 962

Legislative bill overview

HB 962 prohibits employers in Virginia from requesting wage or salary history information from prospective employees during the hiring process. The bill aims to prevent employers from using prior compensation as a basis for setting new employee salaries, which could perpetuate historical pay inequities.

Why is this important

Salary history bans address documented pay discrimination patterns, particularly affecting women and minorities who may have been underpaid in previous positions. By eliminating access to prior wages, the policy attempts to ensure compensation decisions are based on job requirements and market rates rather than an applicant's historical disadvantages. This affects both job seekers' negotiating power and employers' hiring practices statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • Employer burden and verification: Employers may argue the ban limits their ability to assess candidate qualifications and could require alternative verification methods, increasing hiring costs and complexity
  • Competitive disadvantage concerns: Some businesses worry that restricting salary history access might disadvantage Virginia employers competing against out-of-state companies without such restrictions
  • Scope and enforcement: Disputes may arise over whether the prohibition covers indirect inquiries (asking about total compensation packages, benefits, or reasons for leaving), definition of "prospective employees," and how violations are penalized and enforced

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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