Sen. Kennedy files bill in North Carolina Senate to prohibit wage discrimination

A new bill filed by Sen. Kennedy seeks to prohibit wage discrimination based on gender and protect employees’ rights to discuss wages and prevent retaliation, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 607 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Equal Pay Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, known as the North Carolina Equal Pay Act, aims to prohibit wage discrimination based on gender. It mandates that employers cannot pay employees of different genders unequal wages for comparable work, defined as work requiring similar skill, effort, and responsibility under similar conditions. The bill outlines permissible variations in pay rates based on factors such as seniority, merit, production quality, geographic location, and specific job-relevant credentials or travel requirements. It prohibits employers from restricting employees from discussing wages or using salary histories to screen job applicants. Retaliation against employees for exercising rights under this law is also banned. Violations result in liability for unpaid wages, and affected employees can bring actions within three years of the violation. Employers must post workplace notices informing employees of their rights. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Sophia Chitlik proposed the most bills (52) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Garrett graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007 with a BSBA.

Garrett, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 27th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Trudy Wade.