California Paid Family Leave Grant Program Extended Again – The California paid family leave (PFL) grant program for small businesses has been extended again. The program was established by the California Employment Training Panel and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency to offset costs of the PFL program for employers. The program will run through May 31, 2028, or until funds run out.
Read more: California Legal Update
California Minimum Wage and Overtime Laws – The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulates minimum wage, overtime pay and work hour requirements for most employees. The current federal minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour for nonexempt employees. California law imposes additional, more stringent requirements and where state and federal law conflict, the more protective standard applies.
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California Work Hours and Wage Payment Laws – Several federal laws regulate work hours and wage payment requirements. These include the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Davis-Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act. California law also imposes work hours and wage payment requirements and, in some cases, provides additional requirements that employers in the state must follow.
Read more: California Work Hours and Wage Payment Laws
Colorado Issues Proposed Rules for AI Legislation – On Aug. 11, 2026, Colorado issued proposed rules for the Automated Decision-Making Technology Act (Act), which is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, and governs the use of automated decision-making technology (ADMT) in consequential decisions, including employment decisions. The proposed rules clarify key provisions under the Act. The comment period for the proposed rules ends on Oct. 26, 2026.
Read more: Colorado Legal Update
Connecticut’s Minimum Wage Rate to Increase on Jan. 1, 2027 – On Aug. 5, 2026, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut’s minimum wage rate will increase to $17.48 per hour on Jan. 1, 2027. The new rate will apply to all employers, regardless of the number of individuals they employ.
Read more: Connecticut Legal Update
Illinois Adopts Workplace Protections for Menopause – On Aug. 7, 2026, Illinois passed the Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act (Act). The Act amends the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) to prohibit employers from discriminating against individuals for menopause-related conditions and to require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for menopause-related conditions, among other requirements. The Act takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Read more: Illinois Legal Update
Illinois Restricts Employers From Requiring Driver’s Licenses – On Aug. 7, 2026, Illinois amended the Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act (Act) to prohibit employers from requiring applicants to have a valid driver’s license in most circumstances. The amendment takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Read more: Illinois Legal Update
Illinois to Require Employers to Provide Paid Leave for Jury Duty – Illinois has enacted HB4844, requiring employers with at least 26 employees to provide paid leave for jury duty service, beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Read more: Illinois Legal Update
Massachusetts Requires Employee Notice for Federal Form I-9 Inspections – On Aug. 5, 2026, Massachusetts enacted an Act Promoting Rule of Law, Oversight, Trust and Equal Constitutional Treatment (PROTECT Act), which requires employers to provide written notice to employees when the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) notifies employers of an inspection of Employment Eligibility Verification forms (Form I-9) and other employment records, among other requirements. The PROTECT Act was declared an emergency law and, as a result, the law’s employer notice requirement took effect immediately.
Read more: Massachusetts Legal Update
Minnesota’s Minimum Wage Rate to Increase on Jan. 1, 2027 – On Aug. 19, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (MDLI) announced that the state’s hourly minimum wage will increase to $11.87 per hour on Jan. 1, 2027. The new rate will apply to all employers, regardless of how many individuals they employ. In addition, the 90-day training wage for workers under age 20 will increase to $9.68 per hour.
Read more: Minnesota Legal Update