Introduced Version






HOUSE BILL No. 1619

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



Citations Affected: None (noncode).

Synopsis: Study of wage disparities. Establishes the equal pay committee appointed by the commissioner of labor. Requires the committee to study the extent, causes, and consequences of wage disparities and to make proposals for corrective action. Requires a report to the commissioner and the governor.

Effective: Upon passage.





Lawson L, Scholer, Welch




    January 16, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on Labor and Employment.







Introduced

First Regular Session 113th General Assembly (2003)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2002 Regular or Special Session of the General Assembly.

HOUSE BILL No. 1619



    A BILL FOR AN ACT concerning labor and industrial safety.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: ; (03)IN1619.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE] (a) As used in this SECTION, "commissioner" refers to the commissioner of labor appointed under IC 22-1-1-2.
    (b) As used in this SECTION, "committee" refers to the equal pay committee established by this SECTION.
    (c) As used in this SECTION, "department" refers to the department of labor established by IC 22-1-1-1.
    (d) As used in this SECTION, "state labor federation" means an organization that:
        (1) is chartered by a federation of national or international unions;
        (2) admits local unions to membership; and
        (3) exists primarily to carry out educational, legislative, and coordinating activities.
    (e) There is established the equal pay committee.
    (f) The committee consists of the following members, whom the commissioner shall appoint before September 1, 2003:
        (1) Two (2) members representing business in Indiana, who

must be appointed from individuals nominated by state business organizations and business trade organizations.
        (2) Two (2) members representing labor organizations, who must be nominated by state labor federations.
        (3) Two (2) members representing organizations whose objectives include the elimination of pay disparities between the sexes or between minorities and nonminorities, or both, and that have undertaken:
            (A) advocacy;
            (B) educational initiatives; or
            (C) legislative initiatives;
        in pursuit of those objectives.
        (4) Three (3) members representing:
            (A) institutions of higher education; or
            (B) research institutions;
        who have experience or expertise in the collection and analysis of data concerning pay disparities and whose research has been used in efforts to promote the elimination of pay disparities.
    (g) The commissioner shall appoint one (1) of the members as the chairperson of the committee.
    (h) The department shall provide facilities and staff to carry out the responsibilities of the committee.
    (i) The expenses of the committee shall be paid from the appropriations made to the department.
    (j) Each member of the committee who is not a state employee is not entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1 (b). However, the member is entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
    (k) Each member of the committee who is a state employee is entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
    (l) The affirmative votes of a majority of the members appointed to the committee are required for the committee to take action on any measure.


    (m) The committee shall complete a study of:
        (1) the extent of wage disparities, both in the public and private sectors, between the
sexes or between minorities and nonminorities, or both;
        (2) factors that cause or tend to cause pay disparities, including:
            (A) segregation between sexes or between minorities and nonminorities, or both, across and within occupations;
            (B) payment of lower wages for work in female dominated occupations;
            (C) child rearing responsibilities; and
            (D) education and training;
        (3) the consequences of any wage disparities on the economy and upon affected families; and
        (4) actions, including any proposed legislation, that are likely to lead to the elimination and prevention of any wage disparities.
    (n) The committee shall make its report not later than August 31, 2004, to the commissioner, who shall transmit the report to the governor.
    (o) The report from the committee must include:
        (1) the results of the study; and
        (2) recommendations, legislative and otherwise, for the elimination and prevention of any disparities in wages between the sexes or between minorities and nonminorities, or both.
    (p) This SECTION expires December 31, 2004.

SOURCE: ; (03)IN1619.1.2. -->     SECTION 2. An emergency is declared for this act.