The Department of Labor has issued mandatory changes that impact the states of Idaho and Louisiana, which take in March 2017.

Maine passed An Act to Delay the Implementation of Certain Portions of the Marijuana Legalization Act, delaying the effective date of most of the state’s recreational marijuana law until February 1, 2018. Among the provisions delayed are the anti-discrimination provisions, which prohibit employers from taking action against employees who consume marijuana “outside the employer’s property.” 

The New York City Council has approved legislation  (Int. 1253-A) prohibiting employers from inquiring about, relying upon, and verifying a job applicant’s salary history.  The bill is similar to recently enacted laws in other jurisdictions, including Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, and Philadelphia. 

As of March 13, 2017, certain San Jose, California employers must offer additional work hours to existing qualified employees before hiring new employees, subcontractors, or temporary staffing and must prominently post a notice informing employees of their rights under the Opportunity to Work Ordinance.  

On January 1, 2017, the Arizona minimum wage rate began a series of scheduled tiered increases with an initial rate increase from $8.05 per hour to $10.00 per hour.  The Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) recently released a list of frequently asked questions in which they explain that small businesses that (1) make less than $500,000 in gross annual income and (2) are exempt from payment of the federal minimum wage because neither their employees nor the enterprise engage in interstate commerce, are exempt from complying with the Arizona minimum wage requirements.