New York City Expands Earned Safe and Sick Time Act and Reduces Temporary Schedule Change Law Requirements

New York City has expanded its Earned Safe and Sick Time Act to provide additional unpaid leave and expand the reasons an employee may use the leave. The City has also formally added paid prenatal leave requirements into local law[CR1] and reduced requirements under its Temporary Schedule Change Law.

Alaska Issues Final Rules Implementing Paid Sick Leave Law

Alaska has published final regulations implementing the state’s paid sick leave law.

Minneapolis Amends Sick Leave Law

Minneapolis has enacted amendments to its sick leave law. Many of the changes are intended to align city requirements with state requirements.

Washington Updates Paid Family and Medical Leave Rate and Reminds Employers About Other Changes in 2026

The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) has announced a new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) premium rate beginning Jan. 1, 2026. ESD also reminds employers about other PFML impacts occurring in 2026.

Treasury, IRS Provide Penalty Relief for Tax Year 2025 for Information Reporting on Tips and Overtime Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2025-62 (the Notice) on November 5, 2025. The Notice offers transition-year penalty relief to employers, payroll services providers, and third-party settlement organizations (TPSOs) for tax year 2025 regarding new information reporting requirements under H.R. 1, “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (the Act), which was signed into law on July 4, 2025.

Additional guidance tipped occupations (including possible updates to the list of Treasury tipped occupation codes) and the exclusion for specified service trade or business will be released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the future.

Review the details here.

Massachusetts Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD)

HIRD filing requirements apply to all employers with 6 or more Massachusetts employees in any month during the past 12 months. The filing is done through MassTaxConnect which is available for MA HIRD filing between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15.

California to Require Employers to Provide New Annual Notice

California has enacted legislation that will require employers to provide a new stand-alone written notice annually to each employee and to each new employee at the time of hire, informing them of their rights under state and federal law.

California to Expand Paid Family Leave Program

California has enacted legislation that will entitle employees to take paid family leave to care for a “designated person" with a serious health condition.

California Expands Employee Access to Their Personnel Records

California has enacted legislation that expands the scope of records that employees have the right to access in their personnel file.

Review Pay Frequency Laws in States Where You Have Employees Working

Federal law does not address how often or when wages must be paid to employees. However, most states have pay frequency laws detailing such requirements. Some states have different pay frequency requirements based on industry or employee classification (exempt or nonexempt). While certain states allow employees to be paid monthly, other states require semi-monthly, bi-weekly, or even weekly payment. We highlight some of the unique laws here including for example laws in New York, California and Rhode Island.

A general overview of pay frequency and pay timing requirements by state is available here.

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