Latest Highlights

The District of Columbia has enacted an emergency ordinance that requires employers with 50-499 employees to provide paid leave to employees impacted by COVID-19. The emergency ordinance also temporarily expands the D.C. Family and Medical Leave Act (DCFMLA). The emergency ordinance took effect immediately and expires on August 25, 2020.

The State of Washington has enacted legislation (House Bill 2602) that expands the definition of race discrimination to include traits historically associated with race. House Bill 2602 is effective June 11, 2020.

The Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board enacted a temporary workplace safety standard in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Temporary Standard is effective July 27, 2020.

Tennessee has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 2520) that protects pregnant workers. Senate Bill 2520 takes effect October 1, 2020.

South Carolina has enacted House Bill 3200 also known as the South Carolina Lactation Support Act (the "Act"), which provides protections to employees who express breast milk at work. The Act takes effect July 25, 2020.

Georgia has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 408) that extends rules governing employers that provide sick leave to employees and amends unemployment benefit rules. Senate Bill 408 took effect on June 29, 2020.

Florida has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 664) that amends the state's rules for verifying that newly hired workers are authorized to work in the United States.

Colorado has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 20-205) that will require employers to provide paid sick leave and public health emergency leave to employees. The leave must be paid at least at the same rate the employee normally earns during worked hours.

Colorado has enacted legislation (House Bill 20-1415) that prohibits employers from taking adverse action against a worker who raises safety or health concerns related to a public health emergency or who voluntarily wears their own personal protective equipment (PPE). House Bill 20-1415 is effective immediately.

Colorado has adopted a final rule that clarifies the requirements for wage statements and requires employers to provide access to certain employee records. The final rule takes effect July 15, 2020.