Compliance Corner

Washington has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 5564) that restricts employers' use of employee assistance program (EAP) data. Senate Bill 5564 takes effect on June 9, 2022.

Washington DC has announced that its minimum wage will increase to $16.10 from the current rate of $15.20 per hour effective July 1, 2022.

Utah has enacted legislation (House Bill 63) that requires an employer to exempt an employee from a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination if the employee provides certain medical documentation. House Bill 63 is effective immediately.

The Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance has announced that employers require to provide COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave will end March 15, 2022. The leave requirement is expiring on that date because the COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Fund, which reimburses employers for providing the leave, is nearing its limit for disbursements. Otherwise, the requirement would have remained in effect until April 1, 2022.  

The City of Pasadena, California has announced  that the minimum wage for the city will increase.

The Los Angeles County's Chief Executive Office has announced that the minimum wage for unincorporated Los Angeles County will increase.

On March 23, 2022, Governor Jim Justice signed into law Senate Bill 245  (SB 245) eliminating the requirements that wage payment by payroll card and direct deposit be agreed upon in writing by both employer and employee.  The legislation becomes effective June 9, 2022.

The District of Columbia’s chief financial officer has announced that there is already sufficient funding in a program offering paid family leave benefits to eligible employees to expand it and to reduce the employer contribution rate. As a result of the announcement, the changes will be implemented as soon as July 1, 2022.

The Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board has repealed its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and provided new guidance on COVID-19 safety procedures. The Board repealed the ETS on March 23, 2022.