Maryland requires 'Essential Employers' to take certain COVID-19 steps Monday, June 28, 2021 | Maryland Maryland has enacted legislation (House Bill 581) requiring "essential employers" to take certain steps during a public health emergency, including providing paid leave to essential employees if public funding becomes available. House Bill 581 is effective immediately.
Maryland expands flexible leave act to cover bereavement Monday, June 28, 2021 | Maryland 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 amends, clarifies mini-WARN requirements Monday, June 28, 2021 | Maryland 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.
Hawaii expands privacy protections for employees' personal accounts Monday, June 28, 2021 | Hawaii Hawaii has enacted legislation (House Bill 125) that generally prohibits employers from asking or requiring employees to disclose the login information to their personal online accounts, such as social media. House Bill 125 is effective immediately.
Connecticut expands requirements for lactation breaks Monday, June 28, 2021 | Connecticut 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.
Connecticut expands equal pay requirements and protections Monday, June 28, 2021 | Connecticut Connecticut has enacted legislation (House Bill 6380) that requires employers to, among other things, provide applicants with the wage range for positions. House Bill 6380 takes effect on October 1, 2021.
California amends COVID-19 prevention rules Monday, June 28, 2021 | California The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has revised emergency rules related to protecting workers from COVID-19. The revisions are effective immediately.
OSHA issues new COVID-19 rule for healthcare sector, guidance for general industry Monday, June 28, 2021 | Federal Compliance Update The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced an emergency temporary standard (ETS) aimed at protecting healthcare workers from COVID-19. Among other things, the ETS requires covered employers to develop a COVID-19 plan and provide workers with paid time off to get vaccinated and to recover from any side effects. OSHA announced the ETS alongside new general industry guidance.
Remote inspection of I-9 documents temporarily allowed Monday, June 28, 2021 | Federal Compliance Update The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that employers will be allowed to inspect Form I-9 documents remotely in certain situations related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These procedural changes have been extended until August 31, 2021.
Massachusetts employers must provide up to 40 hours of COVID- 19 emergency paid sick leave Wednesday, June 2, 2021 | Massachusetts Massachusetts has established a statewide mandate for employers to temporarily provide employees up to 40 hours of COVID-19 Massachusetts emergency paid sick leave (MA EPSL) when they are unable to work due to specific qualifying reasons related to the pandemic.