State Employment Law Articles

The Minnesota Legislature’s ban on new noncompetition agreements in 2023 has caused the state’s employers to rely more heavily on other legal means to protect their businesses from unfair competition by departing employees. In particular, the ban has forced Minnesota businesses to focus more on nons

Legislators in Maine recently passed a bill to limit the types of surveillance and monitoring employers can place on employees. On July 8, 2025, Governor Janet Mills held the bill, meaning it did not become law, but it could be reconsidered during the next legislative session, which begins January 6

California’s Department of Finance recently announced the minimum wage increase for 2026. The minimum wage in California will increase from $16.50 per

Following this year’s Texas legislative session, two bills are set to go into effect in Texas related to the use of nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements for claims of sexual assault and artificial intelligence (AI).

California Supreme Court Issues Decision on Good-Faith Defense for Minimum Wage Violations and Enforcement of Paid Leave Obligations under HWHFA In Iloff v. tgelbman@littler.com Mon, 08/25/2025 - 14:33

New York Enacts Sweeping Amendments to Child Labor Laws On May 9, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law major amendments to New York’s child labor protections as part of the FY26 State Budget . These changes—contained in Parts W and X of the Education, Labor, Housing, and Family Assistance Bud

The California Supreme Court’s recent decision in Hohenshelt v. Superior Court addressed whether California’s Code of Civil Procedure section

Wage and hour compliance continues to trip up even experienced HR pros—especially in California. From meal periods to bonus calculations, the rules are complex...

New York has officially joined the growing list of states requiring certain private employers to offer retirement savings options. The New York Secure

On August 14, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ruled that the U.S. Department of Education violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the U.S. Constitution when it did not follow proper procedures in issuing guidance that deemed certain types of diversity, equity,

Quick Hits Workplace Accommodations for Agricultural Workers (HB 2541) Governor Kotek signed House Bill (HB) 2541 into law on May 7, 2025. Under HB 2541, certain agricultural workers must now be provided with the same accommodations for the expression of breast milk during work hours that have been

On August 1, 2025, Illinois enacted amendments to its Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act (“Act”), which will take effect on January 1, 2026. Under the

California Civil Rights Department (CRD) Ramps Up Enforcement of the California Fair Chance Act (CFCA) Evaluating candidates with known criminal records in compliance with the California Fair Chance Act1 (CFCA) poses a challenge for covered employers because the CFCA limits the discretion employers

On August 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of California ruled that the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) does not preempt a state statute requiring employers to timely pay arbitration fees or forfeit the right to arbitration. The court rejected a strict reading of the statute, finding that the law does not

Ohio has eliminated requirements that state contractors maintain written affirmative action programs (AAP) and that bidders for public improvement construction projects receive affirmative action certifications. The changes significantly alter the landscape for state contractors amid President Donal

On July 31, 2025, in Rayford v. American House Roseville I, LLC, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that contractual time limitations for employment lawsuits must pass a reasonableness test. The case involved a nursing assistant who sued a nursing care facility three years after the claims accrued, al

Beginning August 1, 2025, Illinois employers with at least 51 employees must provide certain covered employees with up to eight hours of paid leave per

Delaware Modifies its Paid Family and Medical Leave Program Delaware has enacted HB 128 (“the Act”), which modifies the state’s upcoming paid family medical leave program (“ Delaware Paid Leave ”) before benefits become available on January 1, 2026. The Act became effective immediately upon enactmen

Minnesota, Iowa Modify Employer Drug Testing Requirements Minnesota and Iowa have longstanding drug testing laws that place them among the more difficult states for employer compliance. This year, both states modified their laws in ways that require employers to reevaluate their current practices an

Effective August 1, 2025, Puerto Rico’s new Lactation/Breastfeeding Code significantly expands workplace protections for nursing employees. The law