Regulatory Watch
Compliance Corner
Stay current with HR compliance changes, new regulations, and legal updates affecting employers.
New Jersey Expands Family Leave Act Coverage to Smaller Employers Starting July 2026
New Jersey's A3451/S2950 dramatically expands the NJ Family Leave Act, lowering employer size thresholds in phases starting July 17, 2026, and reducing employee eligibility requirements. Over 400,000 additional employees gain job-protected leave rights.
By Joel Riley
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Colorado FAMLI Benefits Become Available to Employees January 2024
Colorado's FAMLI program begins paying benefits on January 1, 2024. Employees can now draw paid family and medical leave, and employers face anti-discrimination obligations.
By Joel Riley
Minnesota Enacts Statewide Earned Sick and Safe Time Law
Minnesota's statewide Earned Sick and Safe Time law requires all employers to provide one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year. Effective January 1, 2024.
By Joel Riley
California Increases Paid Sick Leave to Five Days Annually
California SB 616 increases paid sick leave from 3 to 5 days (or 40 hours) per year and raises maximum accrual from 6 to 10 days. Changes take effect January 1, 2024.
By Joel Riley
Illinois Enacts Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act Effective January 2024
Illinois SB 2034 creates the Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act, providing unpaid leave for employees who lose a child to suicide or homicide, effective January 1, 2024.
By Joel Riley
Washington Protects Employee Off-Duty Marijuana Use Under SB 5123
Washington's SB 5123 prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and applicants based on off-duty marijuana use, effective January 1, 2024. Exceptions apply for safety-sensitive positions.
By Joel Riley
Minnesota Passes Statewide Earned Sick and Safe Leave Law, Effective January 1, 2024
Minnesota enacted SF 3035, establishing a statewide earned sick and safe leave requirement. All employers must provide up to 48 hours of leave, effective January 1, 2024.
By Joel Riley
Cook County Replaces Sick Leave Ordinance with Broader Paid Leave Requirement
Cook County passed the Paid Leave Ordinance replacing its Earned Sick Leave Ordinance. Employees earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, usable for any reason. Effective December 31, 2023.
By Joel Riley
Chicago Enacts Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance
Chicago's new ordinance requires 40 hours of paid sick leave and 40 hours of general paid leave for employees. Accrual begins January 1, 2024, with penalties up to $3,000 per violation.
By Joel Riley
New York Requires Employer-Sponsored Meetings Poster for All Employers
New York's S4982 prohibits mandatory employer-sponsored political and religious meetings and requires a new mandatory posting. All NY employers must display the poster immediately.
By Joel Riley
Paid Leave Oregon Launches with Up to 14 Weeks of Paid Family, Medical, and Safe Leave
Paid Leave Oregon is now active, providing eligible employees with up to 12 weeks (14 for pregnancy) of paid family, medical, and safe leave benefits.
By Joel Riley
Colorado POWR Act Expands Workplace Discrimination Protections and Adds Marital Status
Colorado's Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights (POWR) Act (SB 23-172) adds marital status as a protected class and significantly expands harassment and discrimination protections. Effective August 7, 2023.
By Joel Riley
NLRB Stericycle Decision Overhauls Standard for Employer Workplace Rules and Handbook Policies
The NLRB's Stericycle decision establishes a new standard for evaluating employer handbook policies, making it easier to challenge rules that may chill Section 7 rights.
By Joel Riley
USCIS Releases New Form I-9 with Remote Document Examination Option
USCIS released a revised Form I-9 (edition 08/01/2023) and new rules allowing E-Verify employers to examine I-9 documents remotely via live video.
By Joel Riley
Florida Clarifies E-Verify Mandate Applies to In-State Employees Only
Florida's Department of Revenue clarified that SB 1718's E-Verify mandate for employers with 25+ employees counts only Florida-based employees.
By Joel Riley
Minnesota Expands Parental Leave to All Employers with One or More Employees
Minnesota expanded its parental leave law, effective July 1, 2023, requiring all employers with one or more employees to provide 12 weeks of unpaid parental leave, immediately available to all employees.
By Joel Riley
Bloomington, Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time Ordinance Takes Effect July 1, 2023
Bloomington, Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time ordinance takes effect July 1, 2023, requiring employers with 5+ employees to provide up to 48 hours of paid sick and safe leave annually.
By Joel Riley
Florida Mandates E-Verify for Employers with 25 or More Employees
Florida's SB 1718 requires private employers with 25 or more employees to use E-Verify for all new hires beginning July 1, 2023. Penalties include fines of $1,000 per day for repeat violations.
By Joel Riley
Supreme Court Raises the Bar for Denying Religious Accommodations in Groff v. DeJoy
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Groff v. DeJoy that 'undue hardship' for religious accommodations means 'substantial increased costs,' replacing the decades-old 'de minimis' standard.
By Joel Riley
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Takes Effect, Requiring Reasonable Accommodations Nationwide
The federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) took effect June 27, 2023, requiring employers with 15+ employees to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions.
By Joel Riley
USERRA Military Leave Pay Requirements Reinforced by Federal Court Ruling
The Eleventh Circuit ruled in Myrick v. City of Hoover that employers must provide paid military leave comparable to other forms of paid leave under USERRA.
By Joel Riley
New York Expands Nursing Mothers Workplace Protections and Requires Written Lactation Policy
New York amended its Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act (SB 4844) with expanded lactation accommodation requirements and now mandates a written lactation policy in employee handbooks. Effective June 7, 2023.
By Joel Riley
Utah Restricts Use of Vaccination and Immunity Status in Employment Decisions
Utah enacted HB 131, restricting employers from using vaccination or immunity status in employment decisions, with limited exceptions. The law took effect May 3, 2023.
By Joel Riley
Michigan Expands Civil Rights Protections to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Michigan amended the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act via Senate Bill 4 to add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected characteristics, effective March 16, 2023.
By Joel Riley