Compliance Stuff

With Democrats taking full control of Virginia’s state government in the recent off-year election, lawmakers who have been stymied by the outgoing Republican governor’s vetoes are now eyeing the opportunity to set up new legal guardrails around the use of artificial intelligence in 2026. In an interview with Fisher Phillips, State Delegate Michelle Maldonado (D), the chief sponsor of a 2025 bill that would have required developers and deployers of AI technology to take steps to protect users from discrimination, said she will reintroduce a narrower version of that legislation focusing on the healthcare sector when the Commonwealth convenes again next year . Here’s what businesses in Virginia – and across the country – should be watching for. AI Moratorium Threats The shifting environment presented by recent federal threats to block or discourage states from enacting artificial intelligence legislation required a change in approach from state lawmakers, Maldonado said in a November 14 c...

T he U.S. Department of Labor just quietly launched one of the most sweeping deregulatory efforts in recent memory, advancing over 60 proposals that could reshape workplace rules across industries. From overtime and minimum wage exemptions to cuts in affirmative action and workplace safety oversight, the July 1 rollout is being called one of the most ambitious federal red tape rollbacks in recent decades. Here’s what your business needs to know – and what to watch for next. What Just Happened? Without much fanfare, the Department of Labor (DOL)  unveiled a broad set of regulatory rollbacks  in response to President Trump’s executive order calling for federal agencies to rescind 10 regulations for every new one issued. S ecretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s announcement called it “the most ambitious proposal to slash red tape of any department across the federal government.” What’s On The Chopping Block? Key proposals include: Workplace Safety:   Rolling back employer ...

  States and cities are as busy as ever passing new workplace regulations throughout the calendar year. Here is our mid-year report summarizing the notable labor and employment laws that take effect from roughly July through October.  Virginia Bill / Ordinance / Regulation Main Topic Summary Effective Date Virginia HB 14   Unemployment Provides that an employer waives all rights in connection to unemployment claims where the employer failed to respond in a timely manner. 7/1/2025 Virginia HB 1730 ;  Virginia SB 894 Employer Liability Provides for employer liability for criminal sexual assault by an employee or agent under certain circumstances. 7/1/2025 Virginia HB 2269 ;  Virginia SB 1260 Healthcare Requires hospitals to establish a workplace violence reporting system, including reporting, record retention, and antidiscrimination requirements. 7/1/2025 Virginia SB 1218   Noncompete Agreements Amends the definition of “low wage employee” in the statute proh...

  States and cities are as busy as ever passing new workplace regulations throughout the calendar year. Here is our mid-year report summarizing the notable labor and employment laws that take effect from roughly July through October.  Vermont Bill / Ordinance / Regulation Main Topic Summary Effective Date Vermont HB 259   Healthcare Requires hospitals to develop a security plan to prevent workplace violence, and to conduct a security risk assessment and staff training. 7/1/2025 Vermont HB 461   Leaves of Absence Expands access to unpaid family and medical leave and provides job-protected leave for reasons related to domestic violence, bereavement, and a qualifying exigency.   7/1/2025 Vermont HB 704 Wage Transparency Requires employers to include a job description and the compensation in each job advertisement. 7/1/2025 Vermont SB 117 Wage and Hour Clarifies how the minimum wage is calculated and the employer penalty amount for unpaid wages. 7/1/2025 Vermont SB ...