On April 11, 2025, a federal judge for the U.S. Western District of Pennsylvania reversed his recent decision to dismiss a disability discrimination claim from a job applicant with a medical marijuana card who alleged he had a job offer rescinded following a pre-employment drug screen.
Democratic Lawmakers Urge U.S. Department of Labor to Abandon Proposal to Dismantle OFCCP
On April 11, 2025, a group of forty Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer urging her to “abandon plans to dismantle [the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs] and reaffirm the Department’s commitment to protecting equal employment opportunities for federal contract workers.”
Former DOL Officials Urge Federal Contractors to Continue Lawful Diversity Practices Despite Trump Administration’s Efforts to End DEI
On April 15, 2025, a group of former U.S. Department of Labor officials issued an “open letter” urging federal contractors to continue voluntary diversity practices, including conducting self-assessments, despite the Trump administration’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and the revocation of Executive Order (EO)11246, which mandated federal
New Illinois Labor and Employment–Related Laws Cover E-Verify, ‘Captive Audience Meetings,’ Noncompetition, AI, and More
The Illinois General Assembly had a busy year in 2024 drafting new legislation that was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker and took effect on January 1, 2025. The following article summarizes important legal advancements in Illinois that every employer won’t want to miss.
President Trump Orders Closure of the Department of Education: What Schools and EdTech Companies Need to Know About FERPA
On March 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14242 directing the Secretary of Education “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, [to] take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education[.]” This long-expected but dramatic move has educational institutions and education technology
Update on Missouri’s Proposition A: Status of Earned Paid Sick Time Law
Employers must provide notice of Missouri’s new earned paid sick time (PST) requirements no later than April 15, 2025—ahead of the May 1, 2025, effective date of the state’s new PST law, or Proposition A, passed by voters in November 2024—but much uncertainty surrounds the PST provisions due to a
Florida Federal Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss College QB’s Fraud Suit Arising From Failed $13.85 Million NIL Deal
On April 8, 2025, a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida denied a motion to dismiss a former University of Florida quarterback recruit’s lawsuit alleging fraud by head football coach Billy Napier and a top athletics booster in a $13.85 million name, image, and
Beltway Buzz, April 11, 2025
The Beltway Buzz™ is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business.
Georgia Governor Signs Bill to Strengthen Religious Exercise Protections, but Lawmakers Leave Anti-DEI Bill on the Table
On April 4, 2025, the final day of Georgia’s legislative session, Governor Brian Kemp signed into law a “religious liberty” bill that will strengthen protections for the free exercise of religion by prohibiting state and local government actions that substantially burden religious practices or activities. However, Georgia lawmakers left on
New Maryland Laws—Delay to Paid Family and Medical Leave, Expanded Military Protections, and Parental Leave Clarification
The Maryland General Assembly’s 2025 legislative session ended at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 7. Unlike previous years’ editions, this session ended up being a relatively positive one for employers. Although many concerning bills were proposed (e.g., increased minimum wage, an increased salary level for overtime exemptions, expansion of the
Pennsylvania Federal Court Follows State Ruling That Medical Marijuana Use Is Not a Disability Under State Law
A Pennsylvania federal court recently ruled that a job applicant who had a job offer rescinded could not allege disability discrimination under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) for medical marijuana use as a matter of law. The ruling could be the first instance of a federal court adopting a
California’s Wait Is Nearly Over: New AI Employment Discrimination Regulations Move Toward Final Publication
The California Civil Rights Council has advanced new regulations regarding employers’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making systems, clearing the way for them to take effect later this year. The new regulations will make the state one of the first to adopt comprehensive regulations regarding the growing use
10 Ideas for MSHA Leaders in the Trump Administration to Consider
The Trump administration has made a number of changes to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) already, and more are sure to come. So now is as good a time as ever to list some ideas for the new agency leadership to consider.
What’s Next for MSHA Amid Government Dismantlement?
As everyone in the country watches the Trump administration’s dramatic downsizing of the federal government, there have been many comments and opinions about how this process will impact Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement.
Complying With the ADA When Managing Employees With Alcoholism
Employers sometimes encounter intoxicated employees at work, but there are some compliance challenges under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when managing employees with alcoholism.