Overview of this month’s Legislative Updates:
Federal Legislative Updates
| Legislative Update | Effective Date | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| The EEOC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) | December 29, 2023 | Watch |
| Updated CHIP Notice – The DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) revised its Model Notice for Employers Regarding Premium Assistance Under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP Notice). | July 31, 2023 | Watch |
| Final Rule: Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations – The US DOL issued a final rule updating regulations under the Davis-Bacon Act which applies to federal and federally assisted construction projects, returning to a three-step process to identify the most frequently used wage rate for prevailing wages. | October 23, 2023 | Watch |
| ACA Affordability Threshold Decreases for the 2024 Plan Year – On August 23, 2023, the IRS announced that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affordability threshold will be 8.39% for plan years beginning in calendar year 2024. | January 1, 2024 | Watch |
State Legislative Updates
| State | Legislative Update | Effective Date | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Minimum Salary for Executive, Administrative and Professional Employees Increases on January 1, 2024 – The minimum weekly salary for overtime-exempt executive, administrative or professional employees increases to $1280.00. California Amends Criminal History Regulations – The amendments broaden the definitions of applicant and employer and modify the requirements for an individualized post-offer assessment of whether an applicant’s conviction history disqualifies them from a job, among other changes. | January 1, 2024 October 1, 2023 | Watch |
| Connecticut | Reminder: Connecticut Amends Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law –Connecticut’s paid sick and safe leave law is amended to add a mental health wellness day as a qualifying reason for paid sick leave and to extend paid safe leave coverage to eligible employees whose child is a victim of family violence or sexual assault under certain circumstances. | October 1, 2023 | Watch |
| Illinois | Pay Transparency to be Required in 2025 –Illinois employers with 15 or more employees will be required to include a pay scale and benefits description in job postings, including those posted or published by third parties. | January 1, 2025 | Watch |
| Maine | Maine Retirement Savings Program Deadline Takes Effect for Employers With 15 to 24 Employees – The law requires covered employers that do not offer a retirement plan to automatically enroll eligible employees in a state-run Roth individual retirement account plan. | October 1, 2023 | Watch |
| Maryland | Increased Wage Threshold for Low-Wage Employee Non-Compete Agreements – Employers are prohibited from including a non-compete provision in an employment contract with an employee who earns equal to or less than 150 percent of the state minimum wage. | October 1, 2023 | Watch |
| New York | Reminder: Wage Disclosure Law Takes Effect This Month – Employers with four or more employees are required to include a pay range and job description (if one exists) in any advertisement for a job, promotion or transfer opportunity. Additional information is available on the HR Works’ website. Gender Identity or Expression Added as a Protected Class for Interns – The New York Human Rights Law (NYHRL) protections for interns expanded to protect them from discrimination and harassment based on their gender identity or expression. (NY AB 7355) | September 17, 2023 August 23, 2023 | Watch |
| Texas | Texas Regulatory Consistency Act Preempts Local Laws – The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act prohibits municipalities and counties from adopting new ordinances or enforcing existing ordinances involving business, commerce, finance, labor and several other fields of regulation. | September 1, 2023 | Watch |
HR Works Can Help
HR Works Clients may contact the virtual helpline or their HR Consultant for additional information on any of these legislative updates and next steps. Non-HR Works clients may contact us for HR Solutions by calling us toll free at 1-877-299-9062.
