Legal Updates

Maryland has passed MD Senate Bill 216, which raises the maximum penalty that can be assessed against employers who fail to secure required workers’ compensation insurance. The amendment changes the penalty limit from $10,000 to $25,000. This change increases the ... Read More

Kentucky has established a new statute of limitations for employee claims against employers under the Kentucky Civil Rights Act (KCRA) and the Kentucky Wage and Hour Act (KWHA). Employees will now have up to three years to bring such claims, which shortens ... Read More

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the creation of a new resource called the Competitive Integrated Employment Transformation Hub. The hub is designed to support the employment of individuals with disabilities by gathering resources from various federal agencies. It provides ... Read More

As you’re aware, Minnesota will be launching its Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (PFML) Program in 2026. Prior to that, however, employers must electronically submit quarterly wage detail reports to Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) starting July 1, 2024. The ... Read More

As you know, California recently passed a new workplace safety law requiring employers to establish, implement, and maintain an effective workplace violence prevention plan by July 1, 2024. In addition to its model plan, Cal/OSHA has now issued helpful FAQs to assist employers in understanding the ... Read More

The newly finalized OSHA “walkaround” rule states that employees have the right to select a representative, who could be an internal or external person, to join an OSHA compliance officer during workplace inspections. This includes external representatives, like union members, ... Read More

Virginia has amended its law related to employees’ medicinal use of cannabis oil. Specifically, the state has amended the provision that prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee for the lawful use of cannabis oil by specifying that such ... Read More

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.