April 2024
Oregon has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 907), which further protects employees from hazardous work conditions. Senate Bill 907 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Employees receiving Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) benefits in Massachusetts are entitled to supplement their PFML benefits with available accrued paid leave. The change is effective for PFML applications filed on or after Nov. 1, 2023. The state also announced that the contribution rate for 2024 will increase.
The Illinois Department of Labor has published guidance on the Paid Leave for All Workers Act which requires employers to provide employees with up to 40 hours of paid leave that they may use for any reason. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.
The California Department of Industrial Relations has announced an increase to the pay rates that computer software employees and physicians must receive in order to be exempt from overtime. Additionally, the minimum salary required for the administrative, professional, and executive overtime exemptions will also increase. These new rates take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
California has enacted legislation that expressly prohibits an employer from requesting information from an applicant relating to the applicant’s prior use of cannabis. The legislation (Senate Bill 700) takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.
Oregon has enacted legislation (House Bill 3028), which adds protections for an employee that is appointed to a board, commission, council, or committee. House Bill 3028 is effective immediately.
Maine has enacted legislation that will create a paid family and medical leave program in the state. Contributions to the program will begin Jan. 1, 2025, and employees will be entitled to begin using the job-protected leave on May 1, 2026.
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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The Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board has repealed its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and provided new guidance on COVID-19 safety procedures.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.
The City of Philadelphia has enacted Bill 220051-A, which amends its Public Health Emergency law (PHEL). Bill 220051-A took effect on March 9, 2022, and is set to expire on December 31, 2023.
Nebraska has enacted legislation (LB 906e) that requires employers to provide medical and religious exemptions if they mandate COVID-19 vaccinations. Legislative Bill 906e took effect on March 1, 2022.
Colorado has implemented rules effective May 1, 2022 that require additional meal and rest breaks for agricultural workers when dangerous conditions exist.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) has issued an order lifting indoor mask requirements in many places.