New equal work bill to help Nevada women, families

CARSON CITY — Legislative Democratic leaders Monday announced plans to introduce a bill requiring equal pay for equal work in Nevada.

State Sen. Pat Spearman said her bill will prevent an employer from retaliating against workers who share information about their pay with coworkers. It also will allow victims of pay discrimination to recover damages.

Spearman was joined at a press conference in front of the Nevada Legislature by Assembly Democratic Leader Marilyn Kirkpatrick and others.

“Equal pay for equal work will help level the playing field for Nevada women and their families,” Spearman said.

Backers of the measure said women in Nevada make about 85 cents per dollar earned by men for comparable work.

They said the disparity is even greater for minority women.