Nevada equal pay bill advances; Dems call it ‘toothless’
CARSON CITY — A bill to tighten Nevada’s employment discrimination law and provide remedies to promote equal pay for equal work triggered a partisan rift in the Nevada Senate despite unanimous passage.
Senate Bill 167 sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, was approved 20-0 after the GOP majority rejected several attempts by Democratic lawmakers to amend the bill with even stricter provisions.
The bill dealing with Nevada’s Equal Rights Commission extends time for a worker to bring complaints for employment discrimination and prohibits retaliation against workers for discussing pay with co-workers. It also allows back wages and benefits for up to three years.
A provision in the original bill that would have allowed fines of up to $10,000 against employers for “willful” violations was amended out.
Democratic senators offered several amendments, including that would have allowed attorney fees and punitive and compensatory damages in court judgments. All were rejected along party lines.
“Indeed this is a good bill,” state Sen. Aaron Ford, the Democratic minority leader, said before the final vote was taken. “Every single amendment that was offered today should have been part of this bill.”
Moments after passage, the state Democratic Party blasted Roberson and the GOP majority.
“Michael Roberson and Senate Republicans did everything they could to ensure this bill was as weak and toothless as possible because they care more about protecting the bottom line of big corporations than ensuring women receive a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work,” Roberta Lange, state Democratic Party chairwoman, said in a statement.
The missive brought Senate proceedings to a halt when Roberson almost immediately banged the gavel and called for a recess that stretched into the afternoon.
Floor sessions were scheduled late into the night.
Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb.
