Legal Updates

Oregon Law Allows Leave for Victims of Bias

A new Oregon law expands eligibility for protected leave to bias crime victims. Under existing law, employees eligible for crime victim leave in Oregon include those who are a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking, or a parent or ... Read More

North Dakota Updates the Term “Pregnant” in Discrimination Laws

North Dakota has updated its Human Rights Act via House Bill 1450 to further define the word “pregnant.” Existing law prohibits employers from failing or refusing to make reasonable accommodations for an otherwise qualified individual with a disability, because that person is pregnant, or ... Read More

Delaware Redefines Domestic Violence Victims

Delaware has enacted an amendment that redefines domestic violence, sexual offense, and stalking for the purposes of its anti-discrimination law:  HR professionals and employers with employees in Delaware should be aware of these provisions and their implications.

... Read More

Illinois Creates Freelance Workers Protection Act

Under Illinois’ new Freelance Workers Protection Act, except as otherwise provided by law, a freelance worker must be paid the contracted compensation amount no later than 30 days after the freelance worker provides the product or completes the services under ... Read More

California State Minimum Wage to Increase

Effective January 1, 2024, California’s minimum wage will increase from $15.50 per hour to $16 per hour for all employers, regardless of size. Please keep in mind that certain cities and counties in California may have a higher minimum wage ... Read More

Edgewater, Colorado Passes Minimum Wage Ordinance

The city of Edgewater, Colorado now has its own minimum wage law. Effective January 1, 2024, Edgewater employers with at least one individual performing, or expected to perform, four (4) or more hours of work for in any given week ... Read More

Day and Temporary Worker Protections Passed in Illinois

A new Illinois law, effective immediately, provides that day and temporary workers assigned to work for more than 90 days must be paid “equal pay for equal work,” i.e., not less than the rate of pay and equivalent benefits as the ... Read More

Colorado Amends Workers’ Compensation Act

Colorado has passed House Bill 23-1076, which  amends the Workers’ Compensation Act of Colorado by expanding the existing medical impairment benefits limit from 12 to 36 weeks. Additionally, when an employee’s temporary total disability benefits end, HB23-1076 allows the employee to ask to ... Read More

First Reporting Quarter for the Washington Cares Fund Begins in October

Washington employers should be mindful that under the Washington Cares Fund – the state’s long-term-care insurance program for workers – employers are required to report employees’ wages and hours and pay premiums (collected from employees) every quarter, unless there were ... Read More

Age-Related Information of Job Applicants Disallowed in Colorado

Colorado has passed SB 23-058, otherwise known as the Job Application Fairness Act (JAFA), which prevents employers from asking about an applicant’s age, birthdate, or the timeline of their education on initial job applications. However, an employer is permitted to verify age-related ... Read More

Oregon Addresses Wage Standards for Certain Individuals

Oregon has also passed House Bill 3306, which addresses the rules for organizations that get money from local workforce development boards. Such organizations must provide specific wages, have a plan for how those wages can increase, and give participants a training ... Read More

Oregon Enacts Identity Theft Detection Provisions

Oregon employers should be aware that the state has amended its tax law, adding additional methods to detect identity theft or fraud of taxpayers.  These new methods permit:  This amendment takes effect on September 24, 2023, so we advise that employers prepare accordingly.

... Read More