With new state employment laws continuously being enacted, it can be challenging to keep up on each change and ensure that your policies and practices are compliant. We have your solution. This monthly digest is designed to keep you apprised of upcoming major state law changes in areas including paid sick and safe leave laws, family and parental leave, recreational and medicinal marijuana use, workplace gun laws, asking candidates about salary history and unpredictable scheduling. Here’s what’s on the horizon:
July 2023
- Minnesota bans noncompete agreements starting July 1.
- Bloomington, Minnesota paid sick leave requirements effective July 1.
- D.C. Cannabis Employment Protections Amendment Act effective July 1.
- Georgia voting leave law effective July 1.
- Florida mandates E-Verify use effective July 1.
- Iowa revisions to child labor laws effective July 1.
- Hawaii expands employers’ ability to prohibit firearms on company property effective July 1.
- Maryland constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana effective July 1.
- Minnesota broadens protections for nursing mothers and pregnancy accommodations effective July 1.
- Virginia law requiring employers with 50 or more employees to provide unpaid leave for organ and bone marrow donation effective July 1.
- Virginia nondisclosure requirements effective July 1.
- Virginia organ donor leave law effective July 1.
- Washington vehicle search restrictions effective July 23.
August 2023
- Minnesota law amending the definition of race under the state’s Human Rights Act to include traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hair styles, effective August 1.
- Minnesota permits recreational use of marijuana and provides protections for off-duty use starting August 1.
- Colorado amends anti-discrimination laws and implements requirements for nondisclosure agreements effective August 7.
- Colorado expands permitted use of paid sick leave effective August 7.
September 2023
- New York statewide pay disclosure law goes into effect September 17.
- Oregon paid family leave benefits begin September 3.
December 2023
- Colorado EITC notification required before December 31.
2024
- California prohibits discrimination against off-duty use of cannabis and implements new marijuana drug screening requirements effective January 1.
- Colorado paid family leave benefits begin January 1.
- Illinois Paid Leave For All Workers Act effective January 1.
- Illinois employers with more than 100 employees must file equal pay registration certificate effective March 23.
- Maryland law increasing the state minimum wage to $15 an hour for all employees effective January 1.
- Maryland paid family and medical leave contributions begin October 1.
- Minnesota paid sick time law effective January 1.
- Tennessee legalizes hemp-derived cannabinoids effective January 1.
- Colorado prohibits requiring applicant’s age, date of birth or graduation date on job application effective July 1.
2025
- Delaware paid family and medical leave law contributions expected to begin January 1.
2026
- Delaware paid family and medical leave benefits begin January 1.
- Maryland paid family and medical leave benefits begin January 1.
- Minnesota paid family leave attributions begin January 1.
- In case you missed it: June 2023
- New York expands its law governing break time for nursing employees effective June 7.
- Federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requirements effective June 27.
- Michigan amends its Civil Rights Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as classes protected from discrimination effective June 14.
COVID-19-Related Leave Law and Other Changes:
- New York vaccine paid leave effective through December 31, 2023.
- Nevada COVID-19 vaccine leave effective June 9, 2021.
- Cook County, Illinois COVID-19 vaccine leave effective July 1, 2021.
- New York City paid sick leave for children’s vaccinations effective November 2, 2021.
- Washington, D.C. paid vaccination leave effective November 18, 2021.
- New York quarantine leave law extended into 2022.
- Cal/OSHA COVID-19 duties extended until January 1, 2024; new posting requirements effective January 1, 2023.
- Philadelphia COVID-19 leave extended until December 2023.
- Colorado PHEL ends June 8, 2023.
- San Francisco PHEL leave effective October 1, 2022.
What to Watch: The EEOC has started accepting charges under the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Now is the time to ensure that your policies and processes comply with the new pregnancy accommodation requirements.
Source: Thompson Hine LLP – Megan S. Glowacki