The Mississippi Equal Pay for Equal Work Reform Act; enact.

SB 2137, the Mississippi Equal Pay for Equal Work Reform Act, would prohibit wage discrimination based on protected characteristics (like sex or race) for employees performing substantially equal work requiring similar skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions. It directly affects all Mississippi employers with five or more employees, requiring them to pay equally for equal work unless pay differences fall under specific exceptions (e.g., seniority, merit, or productivity systems). Key mechanisms include authorizing the Department of Employment Security to enforce the law, investigate claims, mediate disputes, and allow employees to recover back pay, punitive damages, and attorney fees in civil suits. The bill also bans retaliation against employees who discuss wages to identify disparities. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.)