Statute of Limitations

A 'statute of limitations' is a law that sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. Prior to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Supreme Court ruled that the statute of limitations for pay discrimination claims began only when the initial discriminatory pay decision was made. The Act amended this, clarifying that for pay discrimination, the statute of limitations resets with each discriminatory paycheck, significantly extending the period during which an aggrieved person can file a charge.