Careers

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Experience

Innovation

Interactive Maps

Locations

About

Pages

Meet our team of innovators
Ask us how we do it

Professionals

Insights

Services

Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 8 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. The firm has been recognized by the National Law Journal as a Legal Technology Trailblazer and featured by Bloomberg for its innovative service delivery models, which drive accuracy and predictability. The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTHTM – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. For more information, please visit ThompsonHine.com and ThompsonHine.com/SmartPaTH.

Home | Thompson Hine LLP

Atlanta

Chicago

Cincinnati

Cleveland

Columbus

Dayton

Los Angeles

Minneapolis

New York

Silicon Valley

Washington, D.C.

With new state employment laws continuously being enacted, it can be challenging to keep up on each change and ensure that your policies and practices are compliant. We have your solution.

contentpilot/introduction

This monthly digest is designed to keep you apprised of upcoming major state law changes in areas including paid sick and safe leave laws, family and parental leave, recreational and medicinal marijuana use, workplace gun laws, asking candidates about salary history and unpredictable scheduling.

core/paragraph

core/heading

New California workers’ rights notice must be distributed by February 1.

core/list-item

Changes to New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time and Temporary Schedule Change Acts effective February 22.

core/list

California employers must provide current employees with the opportunity to name an emergency contact by March 30.

Maine paid family and medical leave benefits available May 1.

Illinois enacts unpaid parental leave for employees with a child who is a patient in a NICU on June 1.

Colorado implements new AI protections against discrimination effective June 30.

Significant expansions to the New Jersey Family Leave Act effective July 17.

Washington expands “ban the box” law effective July 1.

California expands pay data reporting law effective January 1.

Connecticut paid sick leave law covers all employees effective January 1.

Maryland paid family and medical leave contributions begin January 1.

Washington expands Healthy Starts Act effective January 1.

Maryland paid family and medical leave benefits begin January 3.

California expands employees’ eligibility to receive state paid family leave benefits to those who are taking time off work to care for a seriously ill “designated person”<br>effective July 1.

California ban on “stay-or-pay” employment contracts effective January 1.

California adds workplace protections for victims of violence effective January 1.

California expands Equal Pay Act and amends pay transparency laws effective January 1.

California amends payroll and employee data storage requirements effective January 1.

Colorado expands FAMLI benefits to NICU parents effective January 1.

Connecticut further expands paid sick leave eligibility effective January 1.

Delaware paid family and medical leave benefits begin January 1.

Illinois enacts paid lactation break law on January 1.

Illinois limits use of AI in hiring effective January 1.

Minnesota paid family leave contributions begin January 1.

Minnesota amends meal and rest break requirements effective January 1.

New Hampshire enacts new unpaid leave for childbirth and child-related medical appointments on January 1.

Oregon new hire notice requirements effective January 1.

Oregon expands uses for paid sick leave effective January 1.

Pittsburgh changes to paid sick leave law effective January 1.

Rhode Island new hire notice requirements effective January 1.

Washington expands domestic violence leave law effective January 1.

Washington amends paid family and medical leave law effective January 1.

Virginia lawmakers are pursuing a statewide paid family leave statute.

Employment Legislation Outlook – February 2026

Services