11.02.26
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.
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.
Here’s what’s on the horizon:
November 2026
- New York personnel records requirements effective November 8.
January 2027
- California expands pay data reporting law effective January 1.
- California expands bereavement leave law on January 1.
- California expands worker protections against immigration-related retaliation effective January 1.
- Colorado compliance requirements for employers using AI technologies effective January 1.
- Colorado overtime threshold for agricultural employees changes January 1.
- Connecticut paid sick leave law covers all employees effective January 1.
- Maryland paid family and medical leave contributions begin January 1.
- Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave contribution structure changes on January 1.
- Philadelphia amends Fair Practices Ordinance effective January 1 to prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of menstruation, perimenopause and menopause.
- San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance’s qualifying period reduced for large employers on January 1.
- Washington expands Healthy Starts Act effective January 1.
- Connecticut employers are required to provide written notice of an employee’s right to reasonable accommodation in the workplace for a disability by January 29.
April 2027
- Allegheny County, Pennsylvania paid family leave law for private employers effective April 20.
June 2027
- Washington bans noncompete agreements effective June 30.
July 2027
- Colorado demographic workforce information rules effective July 1.
- Virginia paid sick leave law effective July 1.
2028
- Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act amends the Illinois Human Rights Act on January 1.
- San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance’s qualifying period reduced for small employers on January 1.
- Washington expands workers’ compensation protections January 1.
- Maryland paid family and medical leave benefits begin January 3.
- Virginia Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program contributions begin April 1.
- 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” effective July 1.
- Virginia Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program benefits available December 1.
In case you missed it:
October 2026
- Connecticut pay transparency law and requirement to create an employee guide for pay codes effective October 1.
- Connecticut ban on employee promissory notes effective October 1.
- Connecticut expands employer obligations to provide reasonable lactation breaks on October 1.
- District of Columbia amendments that temporarily reduce benefits available under the D.C. Universal Paid Leave program effective October 1.
What to Watch:
Remember to check for state and local minimum hourly rate and minimum salary threshold requirements effective in the new year.