State Alerts

California has enacted legislation that expands protections against immigration-related retaliation.

California has enacted legislation expanding the state's bereavement leave law to entitle eligible employees to take bereavement leave upon the death of a "designated person" identified by the employee. While the law does not increase the amount of leave available, it broadens the relationships that may qualify an employee for bereavement leave.

California has enacted legislation establishing guardrails on employers’ use of automated decision systems (ADS) in disciplinary and termination decisions. The law is aimed at ensuring that disciplinary and termination decisions remain subject to meaningful human oversight, even when AI-enabled tools are used in the decision-making process.

The state of Washington has enacted legislation (Substitute Senate Bill 5847), which extends Workers’ Compensation protections. The employer requirements under the law take effect Jan. 1, 2028.

New York has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 3460), which adds employee access and employer notice and recordkeeping requirements related to personnel records.  The law takes effect Nov. 8, 2026.

 

The state of Washington has enacted legislation that will prohibit, with limited exceptions, all non-compete agreements.

The state of Washington has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 6014), which extends pregnancy accommodation protections. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The state of Washington has enacted legislation (ESB 6106), which amends certain layoff protections under state law. The law took effect March 17, 2026.

Under the law, Rhode Island grocery stores must meet certain staffing and checkout standards. House Bill 7290-A takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Massachusetts has enacted legislation that requires employers to notify each employee in writing within 48 hours of receiving a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Notice of Inspection (NOI) for Form I‑9 employment eligibility verification forms or other employment records. The state has released guidance and a sample notice that employers may use.