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Bill

SB 1197

wage history; disclosure; retaliation; prohibition

57th Legislature - First Regular Session Introduced by Anna Abeytia and 4 co-sponsors

Arizona bill bans employers from requesting wage history and prohibits retaliation, targeting pay inequality by preventing past underpayment from following workers to new jobs.

Senate Second Reading
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Bill Summary · SB 1197

Legislative bill overview

SB 1197 prohibits Arizona employers from asking job applicants about their wage history and prevents retaliation against employees who refuse to disclose past salary information. The bill also likely restricts employers from using wage history in hiring and compensation decisions.

Why is this important

Wage history bans aim to break cycles of pay inequality by preventing employers from perpetuating past underpayment, particularly affecting women and minorities who historically earn less. This addresses a concrete barrier to pay equity since employers using prior salaries as a baseline can lock in existing disparities across job changes.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance costs: Employers must revise hiring practices, interview training, and documentation procedures, which some argue creates administrative burden without proven effectiveness
  • Effectiveness debate: Research is mixed on whether wage history bans significantly improve equity or if employers simply find alternative ways to set lower salaries
  • Information asymmetry: Some argue employers have legitimate interest in understanding candidate qualifications through compensation history, and restrictions limit employer knowledge during negotiations

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

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