Bills › 91st General Assembly
Requiring certain employers to include pay scale information in communications offering employment, and providing penalties
Sponsored by Sen. Janet Petersen (D)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedMarch 4, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeMarch 10, 2025
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Companies in Iowa with 15 or more employees must include the pay range in any job advertisement they post. This rule applies to all jobs, including remote work, and requires the pay information to be in the actual ad rather than linked elsewhere. If an employer fails to follow these rules, they can be fined between $100 and $10,000.1
Read the official explanation
This bill requires an employer that employs 15 or more employees and that announces, posts, publishes, or otherwise makes known an advertisement, solicitation, or other communication offering employment or seeking applicants for employment to include in the communication the pay scale for each position for which employment is offered or for which applicants are sought. The pay scale must be included in the communication itself; a reference to another location where the pay scale can be found is not sufficient. The bill requires an employer that employs 15 or more employees and that engages a third party to announce, post, publish, or otherwise make known an advertisement, solicitation, or other communication offering employment or seeking applicants for employment to comply with the bill in such communication or require the third party to do so. The bill defines “pay scale” as the salary or hourly wage range that the employer reasonably expects to pay for the position. The bill defines “position” to include any position that may be filled in Iowa by an employee, whether by in-person or remote employment. The bill is enforced by the director of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing. An employer that violates the bill shall be subject to a civil penalty of no less than $100 and no more than $10,000 per violation. The bill provides procedures for collection of such penalties.
Why it matters. Employers with 15 or more employees must include the expected salary or hourly wage range directly in any job advertisements or communications used to seek applicants. This requirement applies to all positions that can be filled in Iowa, including remote roles, and extends to job postings made through third parties. The department of inspections, appeals, and licensing will enforce these rules, and employers who violate them may face civil penalties between $100 and $10,000 per violation.2
Senate subcommittee
Named March 10, 2025. It hasn’t reported yet.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part