SB 873 would ban companies from charging higher prices for their products based on gender.
SB 873, a new bill authored by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-14th District) and state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), calls for an end to the “pink tax,” which prices women’s products higher than similar products made for men. Although price discrimination for services based on gender was banned after the Gender Tax Repeal Act of 1995, SB 873 aims to tighten the restrictions further by including consumer goods.
SB 873 would ban companies from charging higher prices for their products based on gender, said Jackson, citing examples such as blue soccer balls priced at $6.99, and pink soccer balls priced at $8.99.
A study by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs reported that approximately 42 percent of products currently on U.S. shelves cost more for women than men, and that women’s products cost roughly 7 percent more than similar products for men. These products include everything from razors and T-shirts to sports equipment and baby items. The report, which examined 800 different products, can be read at “From Cradle to Cane: The Cost of Being a Female Consumer.”
SB 873 is supported by the National Association of Women Business Owners, California chapter. Follow the bill’s progress here.
Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
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