Summary At a Glance New Jersey employers should review their offboarding procedures now that the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s (NJDOL) Employer Response Portal is available to proactively report employee separations. Although the underlying requirement took effect in July of 2023, NJDOL delayed full implementation while developing the infrastructure necessary for employers […]
Summary At a Glance Illinois employers should review their job postings and hiring practices ahead of a new law limiting the requirement for applicants to have a valid driver’s license. On August 7, 2026, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4758 into law as Public Act 104-0776, amending the Illinois Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants […]
Summary At a Glance The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new $103,265 fee for certain H-1B cap-subject petitions filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2026, and comments are due by September 24, 2026. The fee is not […]
Summary At a Glance Massachusetts employers now have a new employee notification obligation when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests to inspect Forms I-9 or certain other employment records. On August 5, 2026, Governor Maura Healey signed House Bill 5620, the PROTECT Act, into law as Chapter 163 of the Acts of 2026. The […]
Summary At a Glance Florida’s minimum wage will increase from $14.00 to $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026. The required direct cash wage for eligible tipped employees will increase from $10.98 to $11.98 per hour. Next Steps for Employers Florida employers should review affected employee pay rates, update payroll systems, and ensure required workplace […]
Summary At a Glance What Employers Need to Know Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland will expand the definition of an “eligible veteran” for purposes of employer hiring and promotion preferences. Under the amended law, an eligible veteran includes a veteran who received a discharge status other than dishonorable or a certificate of satisfactory completion of service. Previously, […]
Summary At a Glance Federal agencies have recently announced developments affecting different stages of the employment authorization and immigration benefits processes. For employers, particularly those participating in E-Verify or sponsoring foreign workers, the changes reinforce the importance of maintaining accurate employment authorization records and carefully managing immigration-related processes. The most immediate change involves an expansion […]
Summary At a Glance Colorado employers have a new compliance requirement to incorporate into their employment eligibility verification process under House Bill (HB) 26-1283, which took effect June 3, 2026. While the law generally prohibits employers from confiscating or improperly retaining government-issued identification documents, it also establishes a new written notice and acknowledgment requirement. New […]
Summary At a Glance Illinois has enacted several employment-related measures that expand workplace protections involving menopause-related conditions, discrimination, jury service, and volunteer emergency workers. Employers should review their policies and practices to prepare for these changes. Menopause-Related Workplace Protections The Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act expands workplace accommodation protections for menopause-related conditions under the […]
Summary At a Glance The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued two opinion letters on July 22, 2026, addressing when travel and other activities performed by employees who work from home may be compensable under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 1. Mid-Day Travel Between Home and the Office 2. Travel to the First Client […]
