⚖️ Compliance Corner

New York City Expands Earned Safe and Sick Time Act with Unpaid Leave, Prenatal Leave, and Broader Protections

NYC amends its Earned Safe and Sick Time Act effective February 22, 2026, adding 32 hours of unpaid leave, 20 hours of paid prenatal leave, expanded leave reasons, and changes to the Temporary Schedule Change Act.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Feb 22, 2026

USCIS Issues Guidance Following H-1B Proclamation

On September 19, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation titled “ Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers ,” which introduced a $100,000 fee associated with the H-1B visa program.   The United States Citizenship and Immigrati...

By John Baldino

Effective:
Oct 24, 2025

HighUnited StatesFL

Florida Minimum Wage Increases to $14 Per Hour on September 30, 2025

Florida's minimum wage rises from $13 to $14 per hour on September 30, 2025, with the tipped employee cash wage increasing to $10.98. This is the next step in the Amendment 2 schedule toward $15/hour by 2026.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Sep 30, 2025

MediumUnited States

Expense Reimbursement Requirements: A 50-State Guide for Employers

A guide to employee expense reimbursement laws across all 50 states. At least 11 states currently mandate reimbursement for necessary business expenses, with California and Illinois having the broadest requirements.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Sep 25, 2025

LowUnited States

Interactive Tool: State-by-State Sick Leave and FMLA Requirements

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) offers an interactive tool mapping state family and medical leave laws. A useful reference for employers navigating the patchwork of sick leave and FMLA requirements across jurisdictions.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Sep 24, 2025

MediumUnited StatesNE

Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act

Nebraska passed the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, bringing paid sick time to the state effective  October 1, 2025 . Now, Nebraska has  amended the Act  in the following ways: The Act applies to employers with 11 or more emplo...

By John Baldino

Effective:
Sep 23, 2025

MediumUnited StatesMD

Maryland Excludes FMLA-Covered Employers from Parent Lea

Maryland has  passed a law  that explicitly excludes from coverage under the state's  Parental Leave Act  (MPLA) employers who are already covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for the current calendar y...

By John Baldino

Effective:
Sep 23, 2025

MediumUnited StatesOR

Oregon Updates Oregon Family Leave Act and Paid Leave

Oregon  has amended the state's Family Leave Act  (OFLA) to clarify when leave may be taken by an employee to care for a child of the employee who is suffering from an illness, injury or condition that requires home care or who requires ...

By John Baldino

Effective:
Sep 23, 2025

New $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visa Petitions Takes Effect September 21, 2025

A presidential proclamation signed September 19, 2025 imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. Renewals and current H-1B holders are exempt.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Sep 21, 2025

MediumUnited StatesFL

Florida Loosens Restrictions on Noncompete Agreements for Highly Paid Employees

Effective immediately, Florida has passed the CHOICE Act, which allows employers to enforce robust restrictive covenants against certain highly compensated employees. The Act concerns "garden leave agreements" and "noncompete agreements." "Garden ...

By John Baldino

Effective:
Jul 10, 2025

MediumUnited StatesME

Maine Amends Law Governing the Accrual of Earned Paid Leave

Maine has amended the state's Earned Paid Leave law to allow employees to continue accruing up to 40 hours of leave in addition to any accrued, unused leave that the employee carried over from the previous year. For example, an employee with 10 ho...

By John Baldino

Effective:
Jul 10, 2025

One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Key Employer Impacts on Immigration, Taxes, and Benefits

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed July 4, 2025, brings sweeping changes for employers including new tax deductions for tips and overtime, enhanced childcare credits, Medicaid work requirements, and increased immigration costs.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jul 4, 2025

HighUnited StatesFL

Florida Enacts Employer-Friendly Non-Compete Law Under the CHOICE Act

Florida's CHOICE Act (HB 1219) took effect July 1, 2025, allowing non-compete agreements up to four years for covered employees and creating new garden leave provisions.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jul 1, 2025

MediumUnited StatesWA

Changes to the WA (Washington State) Cares Fund Expand Long-Term Care Support

Recently, Washington state lawmakers signed a new law expanding Washingtonians’ options for accessing long-term care support through the WA Cares Fund. The law creates opportunities for Washingtonians to purchase affordable supplemental long-term ...

By John Baldino

MediumUnited StatesPA

Pittsburgh Expands Paid Sick Days Act

Pittsburgh has amended the city's Paid Sick Days Act to provide for faster accrual and increased paid sick leave hours. The amended law will go into effect January 1, 2026 . All employers will be required to provide covered employees one hour of p...

By John Baldino

MediumUnited StatesMN

Minnesota Makes Changes to Sick and Safe Time, Paid Leave, and Meal & Rest Break Laws

Minnesota has made several changes to its Earned Sick and Safe Time (“ESST”) law, Paid Leave program, and meal and rest break rules, as follows: Under the state's Paid Leave program, which goes into effect next year, the premium rate will not be a...

By John Baldino

MediumUnited StatesNY

New York City Requires Employers to Provide Paid Prenatal Personal Leave

As you know, Section 196-b of the New York state Labor Law was amended in 2024 to require, on and after January 1, 2025, that every employer provide its employees twenty hours of paid prenatal personal leave during any fifty-two-week calendar peri...

By John Baldino

MediumUnited StatesIL

"Medium Employers" Under Chicago's Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Required to Pay Out Unused, Accrued Paid Leave

Under Chicago's Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave ordinance , a medium employer (i.e., anyone with 51 - 100 eligible employees) has only had to pay out a maximum of 16 hours of unused, accrued paid leave upon an employee's termination, resignation, r...

By John Baldino

California Pay Data Reporting Deadline: What Employers Need to File by May 14, 2025

California employers with 100+ employees must file annual pay data reports with the Civil Rights Department by May 14, 2025, under SB 1162. Non-compliance carries penalties up to $200 per employee.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
May 14, 2025

HighUnited StatesOH

Ohio Minimum Wage Increases to $10.70 Per Hour Effective January 1, 2025

Ohio's minimum wage increases to $10.70/hour for non-tipped employees and $5.35/hour for tipped employees effective January 1, 2025, based on the annual inflation adjustment required by the state constitution.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jan 1, 2025

HighUnited StatesME

Maine Creates Statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave Program

Maine enacted a paid family and medical leave program funded by a 1% payroll tax starting January 1, 2025, with benefits available January 1, 2026.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jan 1, 2025

HighUnited StatesDE

Delaware Enacts Paid Family and Medical Leave Under the Healthy Delaware Families Act

Delaware's Healthy Delaware Families Act (SB 1) creates a statewide paid family and medical leave program with employer contributions starting January 1, 2025.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jan 1, 2025

New York Clean Slate Act Will Automatically Seal Criminal Records

New York's Clean Slate Act (S7551A) provides for automatic sealing of certain criminal conviction records and prohibits employer inquiries about sealed records. Effective November 16, 2024.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Nov 16, 2024

Federal Court Blocks DOL Overtime Salary Threshold Increase Nationwide

A federal judge in Texas vacated the DOL's 2024 final rule that would have raised the FLSA overtime salary threshold to $58,656 on January 1, 2025. The salary level reverts to $35,568 under the 2019 rule.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Nov 15, 2024

California Introduces Health Care Worker Minimum Wage Supplement Under SB 525

California's SB 525 establishes a separate minimum wage for covered health care employees starting at $21/hour on October 16, 2024, rising to $25/hour over several years. Employers must post a new IWC supplement.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Oct 16, 2024

MediumUnited StatesGA

Georgia Updates Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Poster

Georgia has released an updated mandatory Equal Pay for Equal Work Act poster with a new design, updated revision date, and clarified instructions for employers and employees.

By Joel Riley

MediumUnited StatesGA

Georgia Releases Updated Employee Vacation Poster

Georgia has updated its mandatory Employee Vacation poster with revised language around unpaid vacation notice requirements and a redesigned format including the Labor Commissioner's information.

By Joel Riley

MediumUnited StatesGA

Georgia Updates Unemployment Insurance Poster Requirements

Georgia has released an updated mandatory Unemployment Insurance poster reflecting current Department of Labor office locations and filing information for unemployment claims.

By Joel Riley

MediumUnited StatesMD

Maryland Delays Paid Family and Medical Leave Implementation with SB 828 Amendments

Maryland SB 828 delays the state's paid family and medical leave contributions to October 2024 and benefits to January 2026, while expanding eligibility.

By Joel Riley

HighUnited StatesIL

Chicago Updates Labor Standards Poster for Paid Leave, Minimum Wage, and Worker Protections

Chicago's Office of Labor Standards issued an updated mandatory poster reflecting the new Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, a minimum wage increase to $16.20/hour, and other worker protections effective July 1, 2024.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jul 1, 2024

New York City Requires Workers' Bill of Rights Poster Under Local Law 161

New York City's Local Law 161 requires all NYC employers to display and distribute a multilingual "Know Your Rights at Work" poster by July 1, 2024. Non-compliant employers face $500 civil penalties after a 30-day cure period.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jul 1, 2024

California Requires Workplace Violence Prevention Plans by July 2024

California SB 553 requires employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans, including annual training and record-keeping. Effective July 1, 2024.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jul 1, 2024

MediumUnited StatesTN

Tennessee Updates Wage Regulations and Child Labor Poster with New Minor Employment Rules

Tennessee revised its mandatory Wage Regulations and Child Labor poster in May 2024, reflecting new working hour restrictions for minors ages 14-15, clarified break period rules, and updated prohibited occupations for minors.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jun 1, 2024

LowUnited StatesMN

Duluth Rescinds Local Sick Leave Ordinance in Favor of Minnesota State Law

Duluth's City Council unanimously voted to rescind its local Earned Sick and Safe Time Ordinance, as Minnesota's statewide ESST law effective January 1, 2024 renders it unnecessary.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jan 17, 2024

HighUnited StatesTX

Texas Requires New Workplace Violence Reporting Poster Under HB 915

Texas HB 915 requires all employers to post a notice informing employees of their right to report workplace violence or suspicious activity to the Department of Public Safety. Compliance was required by January 8, 2024.

By Joel Riley

Effective:
Jan 8, 2024

HighUnited StatesNJ

New Jersey Minimum Wage Increases to $15.13 Per Hour Effective January 1, 2024

New Jersey's minimum wage for most employers increased from $14.13 to $15.13 per hour effective January 1, 2024, exceeding the state's original $15/hour target set by Governor Murphy.

By Joel Riley

HighUnited StatesIL

Illinois Updates Paid Leave, Minimum Wage, and VESSA Posters for 2024

Illinois released mandatory poster updates for the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, minimum wage, and VESSA for 2024. All Illinois employers must post the updated notices.

By Joel Riley

California Non-Compete Agreements Void Under AB 1076 and SB 699: Employer Notice Required by February 14, 2024

California AB 1076 and SB 699 void virtually all non-compete agreements. Employers must send written notice to affected current and former employees that their non-compete clauses are void by February 14, 2024.

By Joel Riley

OSHA Expands Electronic Injury and Illness Reporting Requirements for 2024

OSHA's expanded electronic reporting rule requires establishments with 100+ employees in high-hazard industries to submit Forms 300 and 301 data by March 2, 2024. The annual Form 300A posting period begins February 1.

By Joel Riley

MediumUnited StatesCA

Cal/OSHA Updates Occupational Safety and Health Posting Requirements for 2024

Cal/OSHA updated its mandatory occupational safety and health poster for 2024 to reflect additional requirements for OSHA violations. Employers must post the updated version at all California worksites.

By Joel Riley

California Adds Anti-Discrimination Protections for Off-Duty Cannabis Use and Bereavement Leave

California AB 2188 prohibits employment discrimination based on off-duty cannabis use, and SB 848 requires reproductive loss bereavement leave. Both took effect January 1, 2024.

By Joel Riley

California Minimum Wage Increases to $16.00 Per Hour Effective January 1, 2024

California's statewide minimum wage increased to $16.00 per hour effective January 1, 2024. All employers regardless of size must comply with the new rate.

By Joel Riley

New York Minimum Wage Increases to $16.00 Per Hour Effective January 1, 2024

New York's minimum wage rose to $16.00/hour in NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties effective January 1, 2024, with $15.00/hour in the rest of the state, as part of a multi-year schedule enacted in the FY2024 state budget.

By Joel Riley

MediumUnited StatesCA

California Updates Wage Theft Notice to Reflect Expanded Paid Sick Leave

California's Wage Theft Prevention Act notice must be updated to reflect SB 616's expanded paid sick leave — now 40 hours/5 days for use and 80 hours/10 days maximum accrual. Effective January 1, 2024.

By Joel Riley

HighUnited StatesMO

Missouri Minimum Wage Increases to $12.30 Per Hour for 2024

Missouri's minimum wage increases from $12.00 to $12.30 per hour effective January 1, 2024, based on the CPI adjustment under Proposition B. Updated compliance posters are required.

By Joel Riley

California Voids Out-of-State Non-Competes and Requires Employee Notice

California SB 699 voids non-competes even if signed in other states, and AB 1076 requires employers to notify current and certain former employees that non-competes are void. Notice due by February 14, 2024.

By Joel Riley

LowUnited StatesMA

DC and Massachusetts Update Paid Family Leave Benefit Amounts for 2024

The District of Columbia increases its maximum weekly PFML benefit from $1,049 to $1,118, and Massachusetts raises its minimum earnings threshold from $5,100 to $6,000 for PFML eligibility.

By Joel Riley

MediumUnited StatesOR

Oregon Expands Family Leave to Include Bias Crime Victims

Oregon HB 3443 expands the Oregon Family Leave Act to provide up to 160 hours of protected leave per year for victims of bias crimes, effective January 1, 2024.

By Joel Riley