The State of New York has announced the 2024 contribution rates for the state’s Paid Family Leave program.

New York has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 7382), which adds gender identity or expression as a protected class to the intern provision of the New York State Human Rights Law. Senate Bill 7382 is effective immediately.

New York has enacted legislation (Senate Bill S2518A), which prohibits employers from accessing certain electronic personal accounts. Senate Bill S2518A takes effect on March 12, 2024.

New Hampshire has enacted legislation (House Bill 358), which requires employers to provide unpaid time for employees to express milk. House Bill 358 takes effect on July 1, 2025.

The City of Columbus, Ohio, has enacted an ordinance to prohibit certain employers from inquiring about an applicant’s pay history. The ordinance takes effect on March 1, 2024.

New York has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 2832-A), which amends the state’s criminal larceny law to include wage theft. This could subject employers who are found to have committed wage theft to increased penalties. Senate Bill 2832-A is effective immediately.

Minnesota has enacted legislation (House File 782), which creates a state-run retirement program that workers in the private sector can join and requires participation by employers if they have five or more employees and don’t offer a retirement plan. The law doesn’t set a timeline for implementing the program.  However, the program’s board of directors must begin operation of the program no earlier than Jan. 1, 2025.

Illinois has enacted legislation that clarifies a requirement for employers with 100 or more employees working in Illinois to obtain an Equal Pay Registration Certificate (EPRC). The legislation (House Bill 3733) takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.