Maine law requires employers to annually provide their employees with notice of the employer’s sexual harassment policy. The employer’s policy must contain, for example, the definition of harassment (with examples), the employer’s internal complaint mechanism, the Maine Human Rights Commission’s complaint process, and an anti-retaliation statement.

A majority of the provisions of Oregon’s Equal Pay Act will go into effect on January 1, 2019. The Act’s ban on salary history inquiries went into effect in October 2017. Beginning the effective date, the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) will enforce the Act, including the inquiry ban, and employees and applicants may file claims with BOLI. BOLI has published a final rule (guiding regulations) to implement the Act. While the Final Rule clarifies and provides guidance regarding key provisions of the Act, as discussed below, it omits any references to the provision of most interest to Oregon employers: the pay equity analysis safe harbor provision.

New York’s laws regarding organ and tissue donation have been amended. The law prohibits insurers from discriminating in life, accident, and health insurance based on a person’s status as a living organ or tissue donor. In addition, the law authorizes the use of paid family leave benefits for organ or tissue donation procedures.

The newly created Department of Family and Medical Leave has launched a website that includes guidance for employers, including answers to frequently asked questions by employers and frequently asked questions by employees.