The City of Columbus, Ohio, has enacted an ordinance to prohibit certain employers from inquiring about an applicant’s pay history. The ordinance takes effect on March 1, 2024.
New York has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 2832-A), which amends the state’s criminal larceny law to include wage theft. This could subject employers who are found to have committed wage theft to increased penalties. Senate Bill 2832-A is effective immediately.
Minnesota has enacted legislation (House File 782), which creates a state-run retirement program that workers in the private sector can join and requires participation by employers if they have five or more employees and don’t offer a retirement plan. The law doesn’t set a timeline for implementing the program. However, the program’s board of directors must begin operation of the program no earlier than Jan. 1, 2025.
Illinois has enacted legislation that clarifies a requirement for employers with 100 or more employees working in Illinois to obtain an Equal Pay Registration Certificate (EPRC). The legislation (House Bill 3733) takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.
Oregon has enacted legislation (House Bill 3307), which extends certain workplace protections to registered apprentices and those in private employer on-the-job training programs. House Bill 3307 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
New York has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 4982), which protects employees who refuse to attend employer-sponsored meetings on religious or political matters, and/or refuse to listen to or view employer communications on religion or political matters. Senate Bill 4982 is effective immediately.
Nevada has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 305), which will require covered employers to enroll eligible employees in a retirement program that may include the Nevada Employee Savings Trust (NEST). Employee contributions would begin by July 1, 2025.
Minnesota has enacted legislation that clarifies the anti-retaliation provision of a state law that generally prohibits employers from preventing employees from disclosing their own pay information. The changes took effect July 1, 2023.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed House Bill 785, which protects employers from negligent hiring lawsuits under certain circumstances. House Bill 785 is effective immediately.
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Rhode Island has enacted legislation (House Bill 5130A) that will raise the state's minimum wage in phases, eventually reaching $15 per hour.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has signed legislation (HB 1465) that addresses rules pertaining to vaccination status. HB 1465 is effective immediately.
Nevada has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 209) that amends its paid leave law to require paid leave for COVID-19 vaccination. Senate Bill 209 is effective immediately and is set to expire on December 31, 2023.
The state of Montana has enacted legislation (House Bill 655) that amends employer drug testing rules. House Bill 655 takes effect on July 1, 2021.
Maryland has enacted legislation (House Bill 56) that expands the state's Flexible Leave Act to also cover bereavement. House Bill 56 takes effect on October 1, 2021.
Maryland has enacted legislation (House Bill 1154) that amends and clarifies requirements for notifying the state and workers before reductions in operations. House Bill 1154 takes effect on October 1, 2021.
Connecticut has enacted legislation (House Bill 5158) that expands the state's requirements for providing lactation breaks to employees. House Bill 5158 takes effect on October 1, 2021.
The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has revised emergency rules related to protecting workers from COVID-19. The revisions are effective immediately.