Legislation

Efforts to increase the minimum wage rates continue in several states and municipalities across the nation. Kentucky and New Jersey are just two states with introduced bills that if passed will increase the minimum wage rate. Kentucky’s current minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and has been the same since 2009. Under Kentucky’s Bill H 278, Read more

On January 29, 2016, the state of Idaho introduced Bill H 400 that if approved may increase the minimum wage rate. Similar bills have been introduced in the past but have been denied in the early stages of legislation. The minimum wage increase topic has always been a complicated one across the nation. Those in Read more

On May 27, 2015, the New York Department of Labor proposed a regulation regarding employers’ methods of payment. In the proposed rule, there are specific requirements outlined for employers that pay their employees via check, direct deposit, and payroll debit card. The aim is to protect employees’ wages by making sure employers are not profiting Read more

Now effective, Montana law (H 343) prohibits employers from requesting employees and prospective employees’ personal social media passwords. As defined in the law, personal social media means password-protected electronic service or account containing content, including but not limited to email, videos, photographs, blogs, video blogs, podcasts, instant and text messages, internet website profiles or locations, Read more

A bill was recently passed in the city of New York that may prohibit discrimination based on consumer credit history. The term consumer credit history is defined in the bill as the individual’s credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, or payment history as indicated by a consumer credit report, credit score, or information the employer Read more

Employers in the state of Virginia must now review their employment policies regarding their current and prospective employees’ social media. Under the new law (Bill 2081), Virginia employers are restricted from accessing personal social media accounts of employees and prospective employees. With the increasing interest in social networking, the aim of the new law is Read more

In the last three years, Puerto Rico enacted two laws that extended protections against employment discrimination available under Act No. 100 of June 30, 1959 to employees based on their military status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. In May 29, 2013, Puerto Rico’s government passed Law 22. This law makes it illegal to discriminate on Read more

Minnesota’s Bill H 1093, introduced on February 19th, proposes numerous changes to Minnesota’s employment provisions. The bill also known as “Working Parent Act,” covers employee rest and meal breaks, fair scheduling, and earned sick and safe time. Under the proposed bill, employees must get a 10 minute break for every four hours worked. An employer must Read more