Workplace violence in healthcare is not a new issue, but it is an escalating one. In response, Utah has taken a significant step with the passage and enactment of House Bill (H.B.) 380, a law aimed at better understanding and ultimately reducing violence against healthcare workers.
Articles About Utah Labor And Employment Law.
Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming Enact Laws Defining Male and Female
Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming recently passed laws aligning with recent executive orders issued by President Donald Trump defining sex as binary and immutable.
Two Utah Laws Related to Religious Expression in the Workplace Take Effect
The Utah legislature wrapped up its seven-week legislative session on March 1, 2024. In addition to passing a #MeToo-inspired law prohibiting confidentiality clauses regarding sexual misconduct, the legislature also passed two laws now in effect related to religious expression in the workplace for both public and private employers.
H.B. 396
Utah Becomes Latest State to Ban Nondisclosure Clauses Regarding #MeToo Claims
Earlier this year, Utah joined the growing number of states to enact legislation to ban employers from requiring confidentiality clauses or agreements that block employees from speaking openly about sexual misconduct allegations in the workplace.
Utah Expands Employee Religious Protections
The Utah Antidiscrimination Act has been amended to expand religious accommodation requirements for employers under Utah law.
Utah Enacts New #MeToo-Inspired Law Related to Confidentiality Clauses
Utah joins the growing list of states, including California, New Jersey and New York, enacting their own #MeToo-inspired laws prohibiting confidentiality clauses regarding sexual misconduct. The #MeToo movement seeks to limit confidentiality requirements that would prevent information about serial sexual harassers from reaching potential victims.
Proposed Utah Bill Would Have Extended Restrictions on DEI to Private Employers’ Training Programs
States across the United States have been taking up or passing laws to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programming in public schools, colleges, universities, and other institutions, but a bill recently considered by Utah lawmakers raised concerns for private employers as it would have extended such restrictions
Utah’s Vaccine Passport Prohibition: What Employers Need to Know
The new Utah Vaccine Passport Prohibition legislation (HB 131) prevents most Utah businesses from requiring employees or patrons to be vaccinated for any disease. The new law will take effect May 3, 2023.
Utah Enacts Law Restricting Use of Vaccination or Immunity Status in Employment Decisions
Utah H.B. 131 prohibits employers from requiring proof of immunity or vaccination status in making employment decisions. There are limited exceptions, including for federal contractors and jobs with certain vaccination requirements under state or federal law. The new law also extends to places of public accommodation.
Utah Enacts Law Allowing Employers to Obtain Workplace Violence Protective Orders
On March 14, 2023, Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox signed HB 324 into law amending Utah’s protective order statute to allow employers to petition for and obtain workplace violence protective orders against an individual who has engaged in or threatened potential workplace violence. The law will become effective on
Utah Amends Vaccination and Testing Requirements to Include Exemption for Previous COVID-19 Infection
On March 22, 2022, Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox signed HB 63 into law, amending legislation passed in the Utah Legislature’s second special session of 2021 related to vaccine mandates in the workplace. The law will become effective on May 3, 2022 (60 days from adjournment of 2022 legislative
Utah Enacts Law Related to COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Requirements in the Workplace
On November 16, 2021, Governor Spencer J. Cox signed SB2004 into law, placing limitations and additional obligations on Utah employers that have implemented vaccine or testing requirements on employees. The law was passed in the Utah Legislature’s second special session of 2021.
Relief from Employer Vaccination Requirements/Mandates
New Requirements, Recommendations for Utah Employers Amidst COVID-19 Crisis
In response to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), several states have implemented closure orders, shutting down most of their internal operations and requiring most of the public to stay home, or “shelter in place.” While Utah has not yet joined the list of states doing so, employers in Utah should keep in mind certain new restrictions and recommendations while navigating this national pandemic.
Utah State Legislature Clarifies: Private Employers Not Required to Accommodate Use of Medical Cannabis; Public Employers Held to Different Standard
Utah’s medical cannabis program officially launched this month, and the Utah State Legislature timely enacted Senate Bill 121, which amends and clarifies various provisions of Utah’s medical cannabis laws, including a pronouncement that private employers are not required to accommodate the use of medical cannabis.
‘Coyotes’ on the Loose at Utah Construction Sites May Be Trouble for Contractors
Following a local television station’s report of labor brokers paying cash to construction laborers to avoid paying taxes for these workers, a Utah state legislator said she plans to introduce legislation in 2020 to increase fines and make subcontractors liable for the acts of these labor brokers.