# Plain Language Summary: Salary History Question Prohibition Act

This bill prevents employers from asking job applicants about their previous salary or pay history during the hiring process. Right now, many companies ask "What did you make at your last job?" as part of their standard interview questions. This bill would make that practice illegal.

The reasoning behind this change is straightforward: when employers know what you earned before, they often use that number as a starting point for your new salary—even if it's lower than what the job actually pays or what you're worth. This can perpetuate pay gaps, especially for women and minorities who may have been underpaid in previous positions. If you were paid $50,000 at your last job, a new employer might offer you $52,000 simply because that's what you made before, rather than paying what the position truly deserves. By cutting off access to this information, the bill aims to level the playing field so salaries are based on the job itself and your qualifications, not your past earnings.

The law would apply to most employers and would prevent them from asking about salary history directly or indirectly—meaning they can't ask you, your references, or your former employers about what you previously earned. However, employers could still ask what salary you're looking for in the new position. This gives job seekers more power in negotiations and helps ensure that everyone starts fresh when changing jobs, rather than carrying forward any unfair pay from their previous employer.