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Bill

HB 835

Relating to unlawful employment practices with respect to compensation and wage history.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Senfronia Thompson

Texas bill restricts employer inquiries into job applicants' wage history to reduce salary discrimination and wage gap perpetuation across employment transitions.

Referred to s/c on Workforce by Speaker
#discrimination(s0052) #labor--wages(i0485) #workforcecommission #texas(v0470)
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Bill Summary · HB 835

Legislative bill overview

HB 835 would regulate employer inquiries into job applicants' wage history and compensation practices in Texas. The bill restricts when and how employers can ask about previous salaries, aiming to prevent perpetuation of wage discrimination across job changes.

Why is this important

Wage history inquiries can lock workers—particularly women and minorities who often start at lower salaries—into persistent earnings gaps throughout their careers. This bill addresses a documented equity issue where previous low pay influences future offers, compounding historical discrimination over time.

Potential points of contention

  • Business burden: Employers argue restrictions limit their ability to set competitive offers and assess candidate expectations, potentially increasing hiring costs and inefficiency
  • Scope and enforceability: Questions about which employers are covered, what counts as "wage history," and how violations would be investigated and penalized
  • Market impact: Concerns that preventing salary negotiations based on history could either inflate wages unexpectedly or disadvantage candidates who lack work history to demonstrate value

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

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