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Bill

HB 594

Mississippi Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; revise certain provisions related to wage history.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Zakiya Summers

HB 594 restricts Mississippi employers from using applicants' wage history in hiring and pay decisions to reduce pay inequality and promote equal compensation for equal work.

Referred To Business and Commerce;Judiciary A
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Bill Summary · HB 594

Legislative bill overview

HB 594 would revise Mississippi's wage history provisions to promote equal pay for equal work. The bill specifically modifies existing laws governing how employers can use applicants' previous salary information in hiring and compensation decisions. This aligns Mississippi with a growing national trend restricting wage history inquiries.

Why is this important

Wage history bans are designed to break cycles of pay inequality, particularly for women and minorities who may have experienced lower pay in previous roles. By preventing employers from perpetuating past salary disparities, the law aims to create more equitable compensation based on job requirements rather than historical disadvantage. This directly affects hiring practices and salary negotiations for workers across all industries.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance costs: Employers may argue the law creates administrative burdens and limits their ability to assess fair market compensation
  • Definition and enforcement scope: Unclear whether the ban applies to all salary inquiries or only specific contexts (salary history vs. salary expectations)
  • Competitive disadvantage: Some employers may claim restrictions limit their flexibility to recruit experienced talent at competitive rates
  • Small business impact: Small employers with limited HR resources may face greater difficulty implementing compliant hiring practices

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

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