Written by Megan S. Glowacki From Thompson Hine LLP on September 2, 2025
With new state employment laws continuously being enacted, it can be challenging to keep up on each change and ensure that your policies and practices are compliant. We have your solution.
This monthly digest is designed to keep you apprised of upcoming major state law changes in areas including paid sick and safe leave laws, family and parental leave, recreational and medicinal marijuana use, workplace gun laws, asking candidates about salary history and unpredictable scheduling.
HERE’S WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON:
September 2025
- Maine adopts pay requirement for reporting to work effective September 24.
- Maine clarifies carryover requirements under paid leave law effective September 24.
October 2025
- Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act to add victims of sexual assault or human trafficking as protected classes effective October 1.
- Maryland limits the definition of “employer” under the state’s parental leave law effective October 1.
- Michigan paid sick leave requirements for small businesses effective October 1.
- Nebraska paid sick leave law (as amended) effective October 1.
- Nevada Civil Air Patrol leave effective October 1.
- Cleveland pay transparency law effective October 27.
- Massachusetts pay transparency law changes effective October 29.
2026
- Colorado expands FAMLI benefits to NICU parents effective January 1.
- Connecticut further expands paid sick leave eligibility effective January 1.
- Delaware paid family and medical leave benefits begin January 1.
- Illinois enacts paid lactation break law on January 1.
- Illinois limits use of AI in hiring effective January 1.
- Minnesota paid family leave contributions begin January 1.
- Minnesota amends meal and rest break requirements effective January 1.
- New Hampshire enacts new unpaid leave for childbirth and child-related medical appointments on January 1.
- Oregon new hire notice requirements effective January 1.
- Oregon expands uses for paid sick leave effective January 1.
- Pittsburgh changes to paid sick leave law effective January 1.
- Rhode Island new hire notice requirements effective January 1.
- Washington expands domestic violence leave law effective January 1.
- Washington amends paid family and medical leave law effective January 1.
- Maine paid family and medical leave benefits available May 1.
- Illinois enacts unpaid parental leave for employees with a child who is a patient in a NICU on June 1.
- Washington expands “ban the box” law effective July 1.
2027
- Connecticut paid sick leave law covers all employees effective January 1.
- Maryland paid family and medical leave contributions begin January 1.
- Washington expands Healthy Starts Act effective January 1.
2028
- Maryland paid family and medical leave benefits begin January 3.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
August 2025
- Minneapolis expands workplace civil rights protections and reasonable accommodation obligations effective August 1.
- Missouri repeals paid sick leave law effective August 28.
WHAT TO WATCH:
The new year will come with many new policies. Is your employee handbook ready for them? If not, now is the time to prepare revisions.
