Legal Updates

Virginia has added “ethnicity” to the list of protected classes under the state’s Human Rights Act. Effective July 1, 2024, it will be an unlawful discriminatory practice for an employer to fail or refuse to hire, discharge, or otherwise discriminate against any ... Read More

Oregon has increased the amount of an employee’s disposable income that is exempt from wage garnishments. Currently, the disposable earnings of an individual are exempt from execution to the extent that payment under a garnishment would result in net disposable ... Read More

Idaho has passed House Bill 654, which enhances the furlough program managed by the State Board of Correction, specifically focusing on the employment of prisoners with private employers.  Key aspects of the amendment facilitate the continuation or initiation of employment for ... Read More

The Washington state legislature has added protected classes to the state’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. The Act currently prohibits wage discrimination due only to gender. Under the amended Act, employers are additionally prohibited from engaging in wage discrimination due to ... Read More

The state of Washington has made the following changes to its paid sick leave law: The amended law takes effect January 1, 2025. Click here to access the full text of the enacted bill.

Oregon has made several changes to the state’s Family Leave Act (OFLA) to align it with the state’s new Paid Leave Oregon program, which took effect in September 2023. Under the OFLA, employees will no longer be able to take leave: This leave will ... Read More

Utah has recently passed HB 396, which restricts employers from requiring employees to partake in actions or communications that conflict with their deeply held religious beliefs, while outlining a framework for accommodating such religious liberties, except under specific conditions. The bill ... Read More

The state of Utah has passed House Bill 170, which adds another scenario under which an individual is considered ineligible for unemployment benefits, i.e., if the claimant fails to appear for a scheduled interview for suitable work. Currently, claimants are considered ... Read More

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) requires employers with 15 or more employees to to provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer an undue hardship. ... Read More

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new guidance related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The guidance helps clarify the following: Click here to access the USCIS’s announcement.

Washington has amended its Public Health and Safety law by establishing requirements for the disclosure of health care information for qualifying persons to receive paid family and medical leave benefits. The amended law imposes timelines on health care providers and facilities for ... Read More

California Assembly Bill 1228 establishes a $20 hourly minimum wage for fast food restaurant employees, effective April 1, 2024. The bill applies to “national fast food chains,” meaning those consisting of more than 60 establishments nationally that share a common brand, or that ... Read More