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HR 2151 111th Congress House

Fair Pay Act of 2009

Official title: To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 28, 2009 Introduced by: Norton, Eleanor Holmes Democratic · District of Columbia See on congress.gov
Labor and Employment Civil actions and liabilityEmployment discrimination and employee rightsGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigations
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Legal fees and court costsRacial and ethnic relationsSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationWages and earnings
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 4, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Apr 28, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Apr 28, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E999)
Apr 28, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 4, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Fair Pay Act of 2009 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Allows payment of different wages under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on bona fide factors that the employer demonstrates are job-related or further legitimate business interests.)

Prohibits the discharge of, or any other discrimination against, an individual for opposing any act or practice made unlawful by this Act, or for assisting in an investigation or proceeding under it.

Directs courts, in any action brought under this Act for violation of such prohibition, to allow expert fees as part of the costs awarded to prevailing plaintiffs. Allows any such action to be maintained as a class action.

Directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to: (1) undertake studies and provide information and technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning effective means available to implement this Act; and (2) carry on a continuing program of research, education, and technical assistance with specified components related to the purposes of this Act.

Makes conforming amendments relating to congressional and executive branch employees to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and the Presidential and Executive Office Accountability Act.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2151: Fair Pay Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2151/
MLA
"H.R. 2151: Fair Pay Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2151/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2151, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2151/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2151: Fair Pay Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2151/)
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