Texas has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 7) that bans certain COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Senate Bill 7 takes effect on Feb.  6, 2024.

New York has enacted legislation (Senate Bill S5026: The Freelance Isn't Free Act, or "the Act"), requiring businesses in New York state to enter into written agreements with certain independent contractors. Senate Bill S5206 takes effect on May 20, 2024.

New York has enacted legislation (Assembly Bill A1029C: The Clean Slate Act), which will automatically seal certain criminal records and require employers to review hiring processes related to an applicant’s criminal history. The Clean Slate Act, or “the Act,” takes effect on Nov. 16, 2024.

New York has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 3255), which increases the time to file a complaint of unlawful discrimination with the Division of Human Rights from one year to three years. Senate Bill 3255 takes effect on Feb. 15, 2024.

New York has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 4516) that further limits the terms employers may include in release agreements related to discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Senate Bill 4516 is effective immediately and applies to agreements entered into on or after Nov. 17, 2023.

Saint Paul, Minnesota has amended an ordinance that requires employers in the city to provide sick leave to employees. The changes take effect Jan. 1, 2024 and are meant to more closely align the ordinance with a new state paid sick leave law that takes effect on the same date.

Chicago and Cook County in Illinois have each enacted ordinances that will amend requirements that employers provide paid leave to employees.

The new Chicago ordinance requires both paid sick leave and paid leave that employees can use for any reason. The new Cook County ordinance requires paid leave employees can use for any reason.

The new ordinances will replace existing paid sick leave requirements in the city and county once they take effect. 

California has enacted legislation that requires employers with 5 or more employees to provide time off to employees who experience a covered reproductive loss event. The requirement takes effect Jan. 1, 2024, and is separate and distinct from the state’s bereavement leave and other leave requirements.