April 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.
Oregon has enacted legislation (House Bill 3307), which extends certain workplace protections to registered apprentices and those in private employer on-the-job training programs. House Bill 3307 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
New York has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 4982), which protects employees who refuse to attend employer-sponsored meetings on religious or political matters, and/or refuse to listen to or view employer communications on religion or political matters. Senate Bill 4982 is effective immediately.
Nevada has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 305), which will require covered employers to enroll eligible employees in a retirement program that may include the Nevada Employee Savings Trust (NEST). Employee contributions would begin by July 1, 2025.
Minnesota has enacted legislation that clarifies the anti-retaliation provision of a state law that generally prohibits employers from preventing employees from disclosing their own pay information. The changes took effect July 1, 2023.
Illinois has enacted legislation that amends the state’s rules for providing certain notices to remote workers and amends the requirements for providing access to employees’ personnel records. The changes made by the legislation (House Bill 3733) take effect Jan. 1, 2024.
Texas has enacted legislation (House Bill 915) that requires all employers to post a notice containing contact information on where to report workplace violence. House Bill 915 takes effect on Sept. 1, 2023.
On July 21, 2023, the New Jersey legislature enacted AB 4694 (P.L.2023, c.125) (NJ AB 4694) to adopt a “convenience of the employer” sourcing rule for nonresident employee wages, but only for states that maintain the same “convenience of the employer” rule.
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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.