Creating the Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan Fair Pay Act

HB 2826, the Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan Fair Pay Act, requires West Virginia employers to disclose the wage range for a position to job applicants upon request. It prohibits employers from asking about an applicant’s past wages (unless voluntarily shared) and protects applicants from negative actions like refusal to hire for requesting wage ranges. The bill also allows employees to discuss wages with coworkers and bars employers from restricting these conversations or retaliating against employees who exercise this right. Violations could lead to legal action for financial compensation, attorney fees, and court orders to stop the violation. This bill directly affects job applicants, current employees, and all employers in West Virginia.