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 2019

  • D.C. paid family leave payroll tax begins on July 1. Benefits effective July 1, 2020.
  • Glenview, Illinois opts in to Cook County paid sick leave law effective July 1.
  • New Jersey expands coverage of paid family leave program to employers with 30 or more employees effective July 1.​
  • Washington salary history ban effective July 27.

August 2019

  • Dallas and San Antonio paid sick leave laws effective August 1.

September 2019

  • Colorado ban the box law effective September 1.
  • Maine pregnancy accommodation law effective September 18.

October 2019

  • Massachusetts paid family and medical leave deductions delayed to October 1.

2020

  • Illinois legalizes recreational marijuana effective January 1.
  • Washington paid family leave law benefits available starting January 1.
  • Duluth, Minnesota paid sick leave law effective January 1.
  • Nevada paid sick leave law effective January 1.
  • Oregon Employer Accommodation for Pregnancy Act effective January 1.
  • New York City ban on pre-employment testing for marijuana effective May 10.
  • California extends paid family leave benefits from 6 to 8 weeks effective July 1.
  • New Jersey expands paid family leave benefits effective July 1.​
  • Washington state requirements to prevent and track workplace violence at medical facilities effective July 1.

2021

  • Connecticut paid family leave deductions begin January 1.
  • Maine paid sick and family emergency leave effective January 1.

2022

  • Oregon paid family leave contributions required January 1.

In case you missed it:

June 2019

  • Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act takes effect June 15 to clarify the state’s existing medical marijuana law.
  • New Mexico ban the box law effective June 14.

What to Watch: June capped a flurry of legislative activity by state lawmakers. Connecticut and Oregon became the 7th and 8th states, respectively, to pass statewide paid family and medical leave laws. In addition, New York lawmakers approved extensive sexual harassment legislation that Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign imminently.   Legislative sessions are expected to cool off as the summer progresses. Now is a good time to evaluate your compliance with the new laws..