New State Employment Laws Set to Take Effect on January 1, 2021

As employers continue to grapple with the ever-changing legal landscape of COVID-era regulations, 2021 will bring changes to the traditional realm of employment law in dozens of jurisdictions.  Compared to prior years, there are significantly fewer new laws and regulations taking effect the first of the year. This is likely because state legislatures focused on emergency pandemic-related laws while in session. Nonetheless, employers will still face many new obligations in the months ahead.

Some states and localities are enacting legislation to better distinguish independent contractors from employees, while others are implementing laws to restrict or prohibit the conditions under which a criminal record can be considered in employment decisions.  Unique 2021 laws include Portland, Oregon’s restriction on the use of facial recognition technology and Montgomery County, Maryland’s guarantee of 30-hour minimum workweeks for employees engaged in janitorial services.

See the chart and links below for access to summaries of several employment-related laws taking effect in 2021. Please note that the below list includes generally applicable laws taking effect in states and some large municipalities. It is not an exhaustive list, and may not necessarily include laws applicable to your particular industry. In addition, this list does not include laws regarding minimum wage and overtime requirements. Those new laws are addressed in a separate Insight.

California

Louisiana

Nevada

Colorado

Maine

New Jersey

Connecticut

Maryland

New York

Georgia

Massachusetts

Oregon

Hawaii

Minnesota

Virginia

Iowa

Missouri

Washington

The Golden State once again enacted the lion’s share of new laws. Governor Newsom signed over 20 new labor and employment bills into law in 2020. Those taking effect in early 2021 are listed below.

California

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

AB 323

Contingent Workforce – Independent Contractors

Extends for one year (until January 1, 2022) the exception from the ABC test for newspaper carriers. 

1/1/2021

AB 685

COVID-19 Notification

Allows the state to track COVID-19 cases in the workplace more closely.  Expands Cal/OSHA’s authority to issue Stop Work Orders for workplaces that pose a risk of an “imminent hazard” relating to COVID-19.  Requires notice in the event of a COVID-19 exposure in the workplace, including providing written notice to “all employees” who were at the worksite within the infectious period who may have been exposed to the virus.

1/1/2021

AB 979

Corporate Boards – Diversity

Requires that a publicly traded corporation with a principal executive office in California appoint members of underrepresented communities to the Board of Directors. 

1/1/2021

AB 1281

Privacy

Grants another one-year extension (until January 1, 2022) of the exclusion of certain Human Resources data from coverage under the California Consumer Privacy Act. 

1/1/2021

AB 1512

Security Guards – Rest Breaks

Allows employers to require that security guards covered by collective bargaining agreements, and paid at least one dollar more than minimum wage, remain on premises and on call during rest breaks.

1/1/2021

AB 1731

Unemployment – Work Sharing

Automates parts of California’s work sharing program.

1/1/2021

AB 1864

Whistleblowing

Prohibits adverse action against employees who have filed any proceeding under the Consumer Financial Protection law.

1/1/2021

AB 1947

Statute of Limitations for Wage/Hour Discharge – Discrimination Complaints

Lengthens from six months to one year the statute of limitations for bringing a claim of discriminatory discharge in violation of any law under the jurisdiction of the Labor Commissioner; authorizes attorney’s fees for successful plaintiffs.

1/1/2021

AB 1963

Human Resources – Mandated Child Abuse Reporting

Designates Human Resources professionals who work for businesses that employ minors, and employ five or more employees, as mandated child abuse reporters.  Such persons must be given mandated reporting training, and a written statement describing their obligations. 

1/1/2021

AB 2017

Protected Time Off – Kin Care

Provides that the designation of sick leave taken for kin care shall be made at the sole discretion of the employee.

1/1/2021

AB 2143

Discrimination and Harassment

Clarifies when a no-rehire provision in a settlement agreement regarding harassment, sexual assault, or criminal conduct is permitted; requires certain employer documentation.

1/1/2021

AB 2231

Public Works

Lowers threshold for qualifying as a public works project for purposes of the minimum wage.

1/1/2021

AB 2399

Family Temporary Disability Insurance

Expands Family Temporary Disability Insurance (FTDI) program to include absences due to military service of family member.

1/1/2021

AB 2479

Petroleum Facility Safety-Sensitive Employees– Rest Breaks

Allows employer to require that employees in safety-sensitive positions at petroleum facilities covered by collective bargaining agreements, and paid at least 30% more than the state minimum wage, remain on premises and on call during rest breaks.

1/1/2021 – 1/1/2026

AB 2537

Acute Care Hospital –PPE Supplies

Requires acute care hospitals to supply PPE to employees who provide direct patient care, and ensure that employees use PPE.  Beginning April 1, 2021, acute care hospitals must maintain a three-month supply of PPE, and provide an inventory of PPE to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health upon request.

1/1/2021 and 4/1/2021

AB 2588

Health Care Worker Training

Requires acute care hospitals to reimburse certain training expenses of employees and job applicants. 

1/1/2021

AB 2992

Protected Time Off – Crime Victims

Expands leave for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking to include leave for the victim of any crime that caused physical injury or mental injury with a threat of physical injury.

1/1/2021

AB 3075

Report of Wage and Hour Violations

Requires that corporations register with the state information regarding violations of the wage orders or Labor Code.

1/1/2022

AB 3372

Employment Taxes

Permits any notice or document required to terminate, modify, or release an earnings withholding order for taxes to be served by electronic transmission.

1/1/2021

SB 973

Pay Data Reporting

Requires businesses to report to DFEH pay data for various categories of employees. 

1/1/2021

SB 1383

CFRA Expansion

Expands California Family Rights Act (CFRA) coverage to employers of five or more employees.  Expands categories of family members covered by CFRA leaves. 

1/1/2021

SB 1384

Representation of Financially Disabled Persons in Arbitration

Labor Commissioner will represent financially disabled persons when wage claims are referred to arbitration.

1/1/2021

 

Colorado

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

SB 20-170

Unemployment Compensation & Eligibility

Provides that employees forced to leave work for domestic violence-related safety reasons, may still be eligible for unemployment benefits; expands definitions of family members; permits severance pay to be deducted from unemployment compensation.

1/1/2021

SB 19-085

Pay Equity & Discrimination

Prohibits wage discrimination based on sex and gender identity; prohibits employers from seeking an applicant’s salary history and from barring employees from disclosing or discussing their wages.  Mandates transparency in wages and advancement and provides damages for non-compliance.

1/1/2021

SB 20-205

Paid Leave

This law allows employees to accrue at least one hour of paid sick and safe time leave for every 30 hours they work, up to a maximum of 48 hours per year.  *The law will apply to employers with 16 or more employees starting January 1, 2021, and then apply to all employers on January 1, 2022.

*1/1/2021

 

Connecticut

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

P.A. 19-25

Paid Leave

This law establishing a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program was enacted in 2019. Leaves covered by the program do not begin until January 2022. Employers must, however, begin payroll deductions to fund the program starting January 2021.

1/1/2021

 

Georgia

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

SB 288

Criminal Background Checks

Allows rehabilitated individuals to petition the court to restrict and seal certain criminal records, and prohibits the use of an employee’s criminal history information in an action against an employer for the employee’s actions.

1/1/2021

SB 443

Wage & Hour – Garnishments

Limits the amount of wages that can be garnished for student loan repayment to 15% of garnishee’s weekly disposable earnings.

1/1/2021

 

Hawaii

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

SB 2638

Protected Time Off – Domestic Violence

Makes changes to documents that an employer may request to verify that an employee is a victim of domestic or sexual violence.

1/1/2021

 

Iowa

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

SB 2296

Contingent Workforce – Independent Contractors

Establishes the circumstances under which certain independent contractors are not considered employees for purposes of various laws.

7/1/2021

 

Louisiana

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

SB 68

Employee Definitions

Provides the definitions of “employee” and excludes independent contractors from definition of “employment” for the purpose of unemployment benefits.

1/1/2021

 

Maine

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

LD 369 (SP 110)

Protected Time Off – PTO General

Entitles employees to accrue one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, where the employer has more than 10 employees.

1/1/2021

12-170 Ch. X

Protected Time Off – PTO Rules

Creates procedures for accruing paid leave, providing notice of the need to use leave, scheduling use of leave, and penalizing denial of paid leave.

1/1/2021

 

 

Maryland

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

Montgomery County Bill
12-19

Wage & Hour – Scheduling

Requires certain employers to provide a minimum work week of at least 30 hours for each employee working as a janitor, building cleaner, security officer, concierge, doorperson, handyperson, or building superintendent and performing janitorial services.

1/1/2021

 

Massachusetts

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

HB 4640

Paid Leave

Beginning on January 1, 2021, all private Massachusetts employers must provide covered individuals with paid family and medical leave, funded through a payroll tax.

1/1/2021

 

Minnesota

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

Minneapolis Ord. No. 2019-00699

Contingent Workforce – Independent Contractors

Creates the Freelance Worker Protection Ordinance; requires contracts for service to be set forth in writing and provides an enforcement mechanism for failure to pay a worker as agreed upon in the contract.

1/1/2021

 

Missouri

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

St. Louis Ord. No. 71074

Criminal Background Checks

Prohibits employers from basing hiring or promotion decisions on an applicant’s criminal history, unless the employer can demonstrate its relevance to the employment-related decision.

1/1/2021

 

Nevada

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

SB 481 (BDR 788)

Benefits – Health Insurance

Establishes requirements for obtaining a certificate of authority for self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements.

1/1/2021

SB 119

Safety Training

Expands mandatory safety training to include employees performing work at sites primarily used for trade shows, conventions and related activities.

1/1/2021

 

New Jersey

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

SB 3170 (AB 5145)

Business Restructuring

Expands employers’ advance notice and severance pay obligations under the Millville Dallas Airmotive Plant Job Loss Notification Act (New Jersey mini-WARN). *Note that the effective date of this law has been extended several times due to the pandemic. It is possible that the current effective date will once again be extended.

8/13/2021*

 

 

 

New York

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

SB 2328

Wage Payment – Pay Stubs

Enables employees who have chosen direct deposit to receive electronic confirmation of direct deposit in lieu of paper pay stubs.

4/5/2021

 

Oregon

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

Portland Ord. No. 190114

Privacy – Surveillance

Prohibits private entities from using facial recognition technology in places of public accommodation.

1/1/2021

 

Virginia

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

HB 1407 (SB 744)

Contingent Workforce: Independent Contractors

Creates a presumption that a worker is an employee, unless either party proves independent contractor status under federal IRS guidelines.  Prohibits worker misclassification, providing civil penalties and prohibiting contract awards from public bodies and covered individuals for violations.

1/1/2021

HB 874 (SB 160)

Cell Phones/ Texting

Prohibits holding a handheld personal communications device while driving a motor vehicle, subject to several exceptions, including for emergency situations and personnel employed by certain emergency services.

1/1/2021

 

Washington

Law

Main Topic

Summary

Effective Date

HB 1645

Criminal Background Checks

Prohibits denying employment to a care provider or licensing to an early childhood educator where a background check reveals that the individual has a finding of child abuse or neglect in their record, but has since obtained a certificate of parental improvement, as defined in the new chapter.

1/1/2021

Seattle Council Bill No. 119810

Employment Taxes

Imposes a local payroll tax on employers doing business within the City of Seattle.

1/1/2021

Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.