Compliance Corner

Michigan has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 147), which prohibits all employers from discriminating against applicants and employees based on the individual’s termination of a pregnancy. The law takes effect on the 91st day after adjournment of the state legislature. The legislature is expected to adjourn in late December of 2023.

It was previously reported that on June 12, 2023, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) released the final rule  regarding the required minimum wage for app-based restaurant delivery workers. 

New York City has announced that the minimum wage rate requirements for delivery workers of third-party food delivery services scheduled to take effect on July 12, 2023 have now been postponed due to pending lawsuits.

Nevada has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 305), which will require covered employers to enroll eligible employees in a retirement program that may include the Nevada Employee Savings Trust (NEST). Employee contributions would begin by July 1, 2025.

The state of Oregon has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 184) that extends new hire reporting requirements to independent contractors. Senate Bill 184 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and is not retroactive.

Oregon has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 999), which, for leave purposes, amends the definition of a one-year period, expands who qualifies as a family member, and adds employee reinstatement requirements under the Oregon Family Leave Act, among other things. Most of the changes take effect on Sept. 3, 2023.

Texas has enacted legislation (House Bill 2127), which preempts local jurisdictions from adopting and enforcing laws related to conduct that is governed by the state’s labor code, among other things. As such, the law blocks the Austin, Dallas and San Antonio paid sick leave ordinances. House Bill 2127 takes effect on Sept.  1, 2023.

The state of Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (DOLI) has adopted a Final Rule to permanently protect workers from outdoor heat exposure. The Final Rule takes effect on July 17, 2023.

Alabama has enacted House Bill 217 (HB 217), which excludes from gross income for state income tax purposes amounts received by a full-time hourly wage-paid employee as compensation for work performed in excess of 40 hours in a week.

The exemption provided under HB 217 will be in effect for tax years that begin after December 31, 2023, and end prior to June 30, 2025.

Arkansas has enacted legislation (House Bill 1576), which expressly prohibits employers with nine or more employees from discriminating against individuals based on a natural, protective or cultural hairstyle. The changes take effect July 31, 2023.

Arkansas has enacted legislation (House Bill 1410) that will remove a requirement for individuals under the age of 16 to obtain a work certificate from the state Department of Labor. House Bill 1410 takes effect July 30, 2023.