Latest Highlights

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.

Colorado has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 23-105), which amends the state’s rules for pay and opportunity transparency in internal and external job postings. The law takes effect January 1, 2024.

Colorado has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 23-017) that expands the reasons employees may use paid sick leave under state law. Senate Bill 23-017 takes effect August 7, 2023.

Colorado has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 23-058) that expressly prohibits employers from making age-related inquiries on an initial employment application. The law takes effect July 1, 2024.

Kentucky has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 47) that will allow adults to use medicinal cannabis for certain medical conditions beginning in 2025. The law also addresses employers’ rights regarding medicinal cannabis.

Maryland has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 828) that will delay implementation of a law that will provide job protection and wage-replacement benefits to employees who need time off from work for certain family and medical reasons.

Michigan has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 90), which expressly prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals based on traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles. The changes took effect immediately on June 15, 2023.

Minnesota has enacted legislation (House File 782), which creates a state-run retirement program that workers in the private sector can join and requires participation by employers if they have five or more employees and don’t offer a retirement plan. The law doesn’t set a timeline for implementing the program.  However, the program’s board of directors must begin operation of the program no earlier than January 1, 2025.