DOVER – Representative Melanie Ross Levin issued the following statement Monday following the General Assembly’s passage of House Substitute 2 for House Bill 105, a measure designed to promote pay equity and reduce wage disparities across Delaware.
Sponsored by Rep. Ross Levin and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, the legislation would require Delaware-based employers with 26 or more employees to include compensation details—such as salary or hourly wage ranges, along with benefits and other forms of compensation—in all internal and external job postings.
“Pay transparency is already a growing national standard, and I’m proud that Delaware is poised to join the ranks of states leading this effort,” said Rep. Melanie Ross Levin. “This bill is a win-win for workers and employers. It empowers prospective employees to advocate for fair compensation, and it helps businesses build trust and attract top talent. I’m grateful to my colleagues in both the House and Senate for recognizing how important this is for Delaware’s workforce.”
“The bill aims to close persistent wage gaps that continue to affect women and people of color. In Delaware, women working full-time, year-round earn just 87 cents for every dollar paid to men, with an average annual wage of $54,740 compared to $62,740 for men. The disparities are even greater for women of color.
“Workers deserve to enter salary negotiations with full knowledge of what’s fair and competitive,” said Rep. Ross Levin. “This legislation will help level the playing field, especially for historically underpaid communities. I am proud that Delaware will now be one of the states helping to lead this culture shift.”
“Pay transparency laws are gaining traction nationwide. Fourteen states—including neighboring Maryland and New Jersey—have already adopted similar requirements. Employers that embrace transparency often report positive outcomes, with 70% seeing more applicants and 66% noting higher-quality candidates. Nearly all workers—98%—say employers should disclose pay ranges in job postings.
“Thank you to the National Women’s Law Center, the ACLU of Delaware, Delaware State Education Association, and the Delaware Department of Labor for your support,” said Rep. Ross Levin. “And a special thanks to the Delaware business community—including the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, Delaware Bankers Association, and the Delaware Healthcare Association—for coming to the table and strengthening this bill so that it can work well for the entire community.”
HS 2 for HB 105 now awaits the Governor’s signature.
