The California State Senate on Tuesday gave its final approval to SB 358, co-authored by Sen. Isadore Hall, III (D – South Bay), which will ensure that women are paid an equal wage for an equal day’s work throughout California. The measure was approved in the State Senate on a bipartisan vote of 39-0. The State Assembly previously approved the measure by a 76-2.

SB 358 specifically prohibits an employer from paying any employee at wage rates less than the rates paid to employees of the opposite sex for equal work on jobs that require equal skill, effort and responsibility. According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), wage inequality for full-time, year-round work stands at 78 percent for women compared to their male counterparts. The AAUW also ranked California fifth in the nation, with a wage gap of 84 percent, and noted that the pay gap is worse for women of color, with Hispanic and African American women making 54 percent and 64 percent of Caucasian men’s earnings, respectively.

“I am proud not only to support SB 358, but to co-author this important legislation that tells every mother, every daughter, every aunt, every niece and all women in California that their hard work has the same value as others,” Hall said.