Missouri has enacted legislation (House Bill 432) that requires employers with 20 or more employees to provide unpaid leave and reasonable safety accommodations to employees who are victims of domestic violence. House Bill 432 is effective immediately. 

Minnesota’s minimum wage will increase on January 1, 2022 as a result of an annual adjustment for inflation.

Large employers (defined as those with annual gross revenue of $500,000 or more) must pay non-exempt employees in Minnesota at least $10.33 per hour beginning January 1, 2022. The minimum wage for smaller employers will be $8.42 per hour.

Regardless of the size of the employer, a minimum wage of $8.42 per hour may be paid to workers under the age of 20 during their first 90 days of employment and to workers under the age of 18.

Massachusetts enacted legislation (House Bill 4127) that extends the requirement to provide employees COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave. The leave requirement will expire when the $75 million fund is exhausted or April 1, 2022, whichever occurs first. Employers that provide the leave may request reimbursement from the state's COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Fund. The requirement was set to end on September 30, 2021 prior to the extension. Employees may also now use leave to care for a family member who obtains the COVID-19 vaccine. Below we summarize the existing requirements.

Maine’s minimum wage will increase to $12.75 per hour on January 1, 2022. The change is a result of an annual adjustment for inflation.

Maine has enacted legislation (Legislative Document 1622) that will create a state-run retirement program for workers in the private sector. Maine will require employer participation if they have five or more employees and don’t offer a retirement plan.

Maine has enacted legislation (Legislative Document 1167) that prohibits employers from requesting criminal history information on an initial employee application. Legislative Document 1167 takes effect October 18, 2021.

Maine has enacted legislation (Legislative Document 1489) that will increase the amount in tips that an employee must receive to be considered a service employee that qualifies for the tip credit under state law.

Maine has enacted legislation (Legislative Document 61) that expands the state’s family and medical leave law. The law takes effect October 18, 2021.

Maine has enacted two pieces of legislation (Legislative Document 1294 and Legislative Document 1688) that prohibit employers from discriminating against applicants and employees based on their familial status, gender identity, or status as a domestic violence victim who seeks or receives an order of protection. The laws take effect October 18, 2021.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued an emergency rule that generally requires employees to wear masks indoors, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status. The emergency rule took effect August 30, 2021.