Philadelphia Salary History Ban

Bill No. 160840

Enacted
2017-01-24
Effective
2019-02-01
Status
enacted
Verified
2026-03-18

Regulatory Snapshot: Philadelphia Salary History Ban

Philadelphia Salary History Ban (Bill No. 160840) is an enacted law in Pennsylvania under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2017-01-24 and becomes effective on 2019-02-01. Pennsylvania currently reports 2 tracked regulations with 2 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 34/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.

Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Pennsylvania within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in Bill No. 160840 itself.

Applicability under Philadelphia Salary History Ban: Philadelphia city employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations enforcement. Up to $2,000/violation. Notable exemptions: Positions where salary is set by law. Voluntary disclosure..

Summary

Philadelphia city-only ordinance banning salary history inquiries. Note: state preemption attempted but courts upheld ordinance.

Key Requirements

Cannot ask about prior salary. Cannot search records. City of Philadelphia employers only.

Penalties

Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations enforcement. Up to $2,000/violation.

Applicability

Philadelphia city employers.

Exemptions

Positions where salary is set by law. Voluntary disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?

As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Pennsylvania is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.

When was Philadelphia Salary History Ban enacted?

Philadelphia Salary History Ban was enacted on 2017-01-24 and became effective on 2019-02-01. It was introduced as Bill No. 160840.

What are the penalties for violating Philadelphia Salary History Ban?

Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations enforcement. Up to $2,000/violation. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.

Does Philadelphia Salary History Ban apply to small businesses?

Philadelphia city employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.

How does Pennsylvania compare to other states on employment & worker protection?

Pennsylvania has a regulatory strictness score of 34/100, based on 2 enacted regulations out of 2 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.

Where can I read the full text of Philadelphia Salary History Ban?

The official text of Philadelphia Salary History Ban (Bill No. 160840) is available from the Pennsylvania legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.

Regulation Guides

Plain-language guides to help you understand the broader regulatory landscape.

Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.

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Data sourced from official state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainRegWatch Editorial

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