January 2025 Legal Updates
If you’re an existing ComplianceHR client, not only can you access these updates through the PolicySmart™ solution, but also robust links to learn more about each of these changes.
However, if you are not a subscriber to our solutions, we are pleased to provide you with abbreviated January 2025 Legal Updates. Lastly, to view developments taking effect this month, click here.
National
- Penalties for DHS Immigration-Related Violations Rise Again in 2025
- EEOC Issues Final Rule on Demographic Reporting Requirements Under Title VII, the ADA, GINA and the PWFA
- Federal Paperwork Burden Reduction Act Changes Health Insurance Coverage Statement Requirements
- U.S. DOL Issues Final Tipping Regulation Under the FLSA, Restoring Regulatory Language
- NLRB Returns to “Clear and Unmistakable Waiver” Standard for Unilateral Changes
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Issues Final Rule on H-2 Visa Program Requirements
- EEOC Fact Sheet on Wearable Technologies Indicates Growing Concern over Employee Monitoring
- OSHA Announces New Higher Penalties for Violations in 2025
- Federal Employer Reporting Improvement Act Amends Taxpayer Identification Number Reporting Requirements
Alaska
- Alaska Ballot Measure Includes Provisions on Mandatory Employer Meetings
California
- Helping Employees During Los Angeles Wildfires
Colorado
- Colorado Releases COMPS Order Poster for 2025–Required to Appear in Employer Handbooks
- The Colorado Department of Law Adopts New Rules Implementing Amendments to the Colorado Privacy Act
- Colorado Amends Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act Rules–Includes Updated Policy
Iowa
- Iowa Re-issues Final Rules on Workplace Safety Complaint Retaliation
Maryland
- Prince George’s County, Maryland Ordinance Requires Late Night Safety Plan
New York
- New York Passes New Law Regulating Contracts Involving Digital Replicas
- New York Ballot Measure Expands Protected Categories in State Constitution — Includes Updated Policy
- New York Passes Law Protecting Certain Call Center Employees
- New York Amends Warehouse Worker Protection Act
- New York Passes New York State Fashion Workers Act
- New York Amends Data Security Breach Notification Law
North Carolina
- North Carolina DOL Amends Regulations to Adopt Federal OSHA Standard
Ohio
- Ohio Expands Military Leave and Military Status Protections to Cover Membership in the United States Space Force
Wisconsin
- City of Madison, Wisconsin Amends its Equal Opportunities Ordinance Regulating Arrest and Conviction Record Discrimination
Developments Taking Effect This Month
Without doubt, employment law policies are ever changing, with some going into effect this month. Below is a reminder of January 2025 legal updates with effective dates.
National
- Penalties for DHS Immigration-Related Violations Rise Again in 2025 (effective Jan 02, 2025)
- EEOC Issues Final Rule on Demographic Reporting Requirements Under Title VII, the ADA, GINA and the PWFA (effective Jan 10, 2025)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Issues Final Rule on H-2 Visa Program Requirements (effective Jan 17, 2025)
- OSHA Announces New Higher Penalties for Violations in 2025 (effective Jan 15, 2025)
- Federal Employer Reporting Improvement Act Amends Taxpayer Identification Number Reporting Requirements (effective Jan 01, 2025)
California
- California Increases Family Temporary Disability Insurance and Short-Term Disability Insurance Weekly Benefit Amount–Now Includes Updated Policies (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- California Amends Whistleblower Protection Act Notice Requirement (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- California Amends Fair Employment and Housing Act to Create Protections for “Intersectionality,” or the Combination of Two or More Protected Categories — Now Includes Updated Policy (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- California Amends Fair Employment and Housing Act to Clarify it Does Not Prohibit Local Antidiscrimination Laws (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- California Amends Workers’ Compensation Notice Requirement, Adding New Information to Required Notice (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- California Limits the Discretion Employers Have to Insist on a Driver’s License Even for Jobs that Require Driving for Work (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- California Amends Unruh Civil Rights Act (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- California Expands Paid Sick Leave Uses for Crime Victims and Agricultural Employees, and Changes Unpaid Leave Standards for Victims–Now Includes Updated Policy (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- California Eliminates Employers’ Ability to Require Employees to Use Vacation Before They Receive State Paid Family Leave Benefits (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- California Amends Short Term Disability and Paid Family Leave Laws to Allow Claim Filing in Advance–Includes Updated Short-Term Disability Insurance Policy (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- California Enacts Law Regulating Employment Agreement Provisions on Digital Replicas of Voice or Likeness (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Colorado
- Colorado Releases COMPS Order Poster for 2025–Required to Appear in Employer Handbooks (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- The Colorado Department of Law Adopts New Rules Implementing Amendments to the Colorado Privacy Act (effective Jan 30, 2025)
- Colorado Amends Child Labor Law to Increase Penalties (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Colorado Amends Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act Rules–Includes Updated Policy (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Connecticut
- Connecticut Amends Tax Law on Deductions (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Connecticut Expands Paid Sick Leave–Now Includes Updated Policy (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Delaware
- Delaware Passes Personal Data Privacy Act (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Illinois
- Illinois Amends Law on Right to Inspect Pay Stubs (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Illinois Repeals and Replaces Child Labor Law (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Illinois Amends Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Illinois Extends Statute of Limitations on Human Rights Act Violations (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Illinois Amends Personnel Records Review Act–Now Includes Updated Policy (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Illinois Amends Human Rights Act to Add “Reproductive Health Decisions” as a Protected Category–Includes Updated Policies (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Illinois Amends Whistleblower Act (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Illinois Passes Worker Freedom of Speech Act–Includes Notice Requirement (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Illinois Amends Human Rights Act to Prohibit Discrimination Based on Family Responsibilities–Includes Updated Policy (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Illinois Expands Definition of Armed Forces to Include Space Force (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Iowa
- Iowa Re-issues Final Rules on Workplace Safety Complaint Retaliation (effective Jan 15, 2025)
- Iowa Passes Consumer Data Protection Law (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Kentucky
- Kentucky Legalizes Medicinal Use of Cannabis (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Maine
- Maine Adopts Final Rules for Paid Family and Medical Leave Program (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Massachusetts
- Maine Adopts Final Rules for Paid Family and Medical Leave Program (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Minnesota
- St. Paul, Minnesota Enacts Civil Wage Theft Ordinance (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Minnesota Eliminates Alternative Minimum Wages (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Minnesota Omnibus Bill Includes Pay Transparency Provisions (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Nebraska
- Nebraska Enacts Data Privacy Act (effective Jan 01, 2025)
New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Prohibits Registered Sex Offenders from Working with Children (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- New Hampshire Passes Comprehensive Data Privacy Law (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- New Hampshire Passes New Law on Employees’ Storage of Firearms in Vehicles (effective Jan 01, 2025)
New Jersey
- New Jersey Passes Data Privacy Act (effective Jan 15, 2025)
New York
- New York Passes New Law Regulating Contracts Involving Digital Replicas (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- New York Becomes the First State to Mandate Paid Prenatal Leave and Sets COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Sunset Date–Now Includes Sample Policy (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- FAQs on New York Paid Prenatal Leave Law Provide Much Needed Guidance to Employers Prior to January First–Includes Updated Policy (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- New York Expands Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation for Work-Related Stress (effective Jan 01, 2025)
North Carolina
- North Carolina DOL Amends Regulations to Adopt Federal OSHA Standard (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Oregon
- Oregon Creates New Protections Related to Warehouse Worker Quotas, Including Written Notice Requirement (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Enacts Law Banning Certain Non-Compete Agreements with Healthcare Providers (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Amends Temporary Caregiver Benefits Law, Incrementally Increasing Leave Amounts–Now Includes Updated Policy Template (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Rhode Island Enacts New Law Requiring Poster on Veterans’ Benefits and Services–Includes Posting Requirement (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Washington
- Washington Amends Paid Sick Leave Law, Expanding Authorized Reasons for Leave–Now Includes Updated Policy (effective Jan 01, 2025)
- Seattle Ordinance Requires Deactivation Notices for App-Based Workers (effective Jan 01, 2025)
Washington D.C.
- District of Columbia Requires Group Health Plan Benefits to Cover Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility (effective Jan 01, 2025)
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