Compliance Corner

Texas has enacted legislation (House Bill 567), which expressly prohibits discrimination against individuals based on traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyles like braids, locs, and twists. House Bill 567 takes effect September 1, 2023.

Washington has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 5123), which prohibits employers from making a hiring decision based on an individual’s off-duty use of cannabis or certain positive pre-employment drug test results. Senate Bill 5123 takes effect on January 1, 2024.

Washington has enacted legislation (House Bill 1491), which prohibits an employer from searching an employee’s privately owned vehicle. House Bill 1491 takes effect on July 23, 2023.

The State of Washington has released information to assist employers in meeting their requirements under the Washington Cares Act.

Virginia has enacted legislation, House Bill 1895, which prohibits employers from requiring an employee or prospective employee from executing or renewing a “nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement, including any provision relating to non-disparagement, that has the purpose or effect of concealing the details relating to a claim of sexual harassment … as a condition of employment.”  House Bill 1895 takes effect on July 1, 2023.