Compliance Stuff

Most employers are prepared for new laws at the start of each year – but did you know that a heap of new workplace laws take effect at the halfway point? Here’s your employer cheat sheet to prepare for all the new laws taking effect in July 2026 (July 1, unless otherwise noted). NOTE: This list should not be relied upon as a comprehensive source for any or all new laws taking effect across the country. Check with your FP attorney to determine whether the jurisdictions in which you operate have additional workplace law changes set to take effect on July 1. Alaska Statewide Minimum Wage Increase. Due to a ballot measure approved by voters in 2024, the minimum wage will increase again to $14 per hour. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Summary of Wage and Hour poster can be found here . Arkansas Arkansas Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act. A law enacted last year ( HB 1717 ) will impose various data privacy and security requirements on covered opera...

Voters in Portland, Maine, just approved a ballot measure that will gradually increase the city’s minimum wage to $19 per hour by 2028 . Here’s everything businesses operating in the city need to know about the changes before the first wage hike kicks in on January 1. Portland’s Wage Hikes Begin January 1 Portland voters passed a citizens’ initiative on November 4 that will raise the city’s hourly minimum wage, which is currently $15.50, based on the following schedule:  $16.75 , effective January 1, 2026 (July 1, 2026, for employees of the City of Portland) $17.75 , effective January 1, 2027 $19.00 , effective January 1, 2028 In addition, the city’s minimum wage will be subject to further annual cost-of-living increases starting in 2029. Roughly 63% of voters approved the initiative, according to  unofficial referendum results  shared by the city. No Increase for Tipped Workers The initiative does not include an additional increase for tipped workers, who are currently g...