SALEM — A state pay equity bill is headed to Gov. Kate Brown’s desk, after the House of Representatives on Monday, May 22, confirmed Senate changes to the legislation.

The bill allows workers who are victims of pay inequity to recover up to two years of back pay by filing a complaint with the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

The governor is expected to sign the bill next week.

“I applaud the Legislature’s bipartisan efforts to pass the Pay Equity Bill and I look forward to signing House Bill 2005 into law. While workforce discrimination has long been illegal, pay inequity persists. House Bill 2005 makes great strides towards a more equitable and prosperous Oregon,” Gov. Brown said Monday.

Senators amended the House bill to win support from the business community, which had previously opposed stiff penalties in the original bill.

The safeguard applies to women and all other protected classes, including minorities, older people and people with disabilities. The bill also prohibits employers from asking a job candidate for wage or salary history.

The amended bill provides a phased-in effective date and removes punitive damages when employers can show they have conducted a pay equity analysis in the past three years and made progress toward equal pay.

Another concession allows unequal pay when the inequity results from an employer paying a worker more to match another employer’s offer.

An analysis of state executive branch salaries and wages by the Center for Public Service showed a consistent pattern of pay gaps between men and women and minorities and non-minorities. Women were estimated to earn $380 less a month than men, the analysis showed.

The House passed the original bill March 28 by a 36-to-24 vote. The Senate unanimously approved the amended bill May 17, after the bill’s sponsors negotiated changes with businesses and advocates.

“We are paving the way today and showing people we can come together in a bipartisan way to pass a stellar piece of legislation,” said Rep. Jodi Hack, R-Salem.

Once the governor signs the bill, it becomes law.