Latest Highlights

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.

Minnesota has enacted legislation (Senate File 3035) that will expand requirements for employers to provide lactation breaks, reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, and pregnancy and parental leave. Senate File 3035 takes effect July 1, 2023.

Minnesota has enacted legislation (House File 2) that will create a paid family and medical leave program in the state. Contributions to the program and wage-replacement benefits will begin January 1, 2026. Employers can opt to have a private plan to meet the requirements, provided the plan is approved by the state.

Minnesota has enacted legislation (Senate File 3035) that will require employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2024.

Minnesota has enacted legislation (House File 100) that permits recreational cannabis use among adults age 21 and older beginning August 1, 2023. The law includes protections for off-duty cannabis use.

New York City has enacted a law (Intro. 209-A) that prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of an individual’s height or weight. Intro. 209-A takes effect on November 22, 2023.

The North Dakota Human Rights Act prohibits employers of all sizes from failing or refusing to make reasonable accommodations for an otherwise qualified individual with a physical or mental disability because that individual is pregnant. 

North Dakota has enacted House Bill 1450, which takes effect August 1, 2023 and clarifies that “pregnant” includes pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions.

Texas has enacted legislation (House Bill 567), which expressly prohibits discrimination against individuals based on traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyles like braids, locs, and twists. House Bill 567 takes effect September 1, 2023.

Washington has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 5123), which prohibits employers from making a hiring decision based on an individual’s off-duty use of cannabis or certain positive pre-employment drug test results. Senate Bill 5123 takes effect on January 1, 2024.