Gov. Dan McKee signed new protections against pay discrimination into law Wednesday, completing a multi-year campaign to make sure employees of different races and genders receive equal compensation for their work. The legislation was the subject of extensive negotiations and compromises between activists and employers, one of which was when it would take effect. The final version passed by state lawmakers will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023 instead of at the start of next year as initially proposed. The new law will make it illegal to pay any employees less than employees of another "race, or color, or religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin for comparable work."