A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W
CCH® State Law Changes are updated at least semi-monthly. They are brief summaries of information contained in Human Resources Management State Employment Law and Employment Practices Guide, CCH InternetSM Research Network™ (IRN) subscription products. You must be a subscriber to these products to access the IRN links in the monthly compilations.

August 29, 2005 Update
AlabamaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
AlaskaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
ArizonaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
ArkansasTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
CaliforniaTop of Page
California Unruh Civil Rights Act
The statute of limitations for bringing an action of unlawful discrimination against protected classes has been increased from one year to three years. Civil Code, Division 1, Part 2, Section 52, as amended by A.B. 378, L. 2005, effective Jan. 1, 2006. ¶5-20,026.10.

California Rules and Regulations of the State Fair Employment and Housing Commission
The rule relating to the conflict of interest code has been amended. Title 2, Division 4, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, Section 7286.0, as amended effective Aug. 5, 2005. ¶5-20,076.00
ColoradoTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
ConnecticutTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
DelawareTop of Page
Delaware Family Leave, State Employees Law
Delaware has amended its family leave law allowing state employees employed for at least one year with the state to use their accumulated paid sick leave to travel outside the United States to adopt a child. Once the adoption overseas has been approved, any additional days of leave will be pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act. Title 29, Part V, Chapter 51, Section 5116, as amended by H.B 198, L. 2005, effective July 7, 2005. ¶8-22,450.01
D.C.Top of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
FloridaTop of Page
Unemployment Insurance Law
The state has enacted SUTA dumping provisions, effective January 1, 2006.
GeorgiaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
HawaiiTop of Page
Hawaii Family Leave Law
The state has amended its law to provide that an employee may use, for family leave purposes, temporary disability insurance sick leave benefits in excess of minimum statutory temporary disability insurance benefit requirements. Title 21, Chapter 398, Part I, Sections 398-1 and 398-4, as amended by H.325, L. 2005, effective July 12, 2005. ¶12-22,450.01 and ¶12-22,450.04
IdahoTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
IllinoisTop of Page

Health Insurance Benefit Coverage Law
Certain provisions relating to the state's law on health insurance coverage of mental and emotional disorders no longer expire after December 31, 2005 (H. 59, L. 2005).
IndianaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
IowaTop of Page
Unemployment Insurance Law
For the year beginning July 3, 2005, the maximum weekly benefit amounts in Iowa are $324 for an individual with no dependents, $337 for an individual with one dependent, $349 for an individual with two dependents, $367 for an individual with three dependents, and $398 for an individual with four or more dependents. The minimum weekly benefit amounts for those classes are $48, $50, $53, $56, and $58, respectively.
KansasTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
KentuckyTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
LouisianaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
MaineTop of Page
Maine Human Rights Commission Employment Regulations
The adopted change adds to the existing definition of disability, stating the Commission's 30 year position that mitigating measures are not to be considered when determining whether a disability exists. ¶20-20,075.02, as amended effective July 20, 2005. 

Disability Law
The state has enacted a law clarifying that service animals are allowed in food stores and restaurants (Ch. 318 (S. 163), L. 2005).
MarylandTop of Page
Minimum Wage Law
The minimum wage rate for Prince George's County for Fiscal Year 2006 is $10.80 per hour.
MassachusettsTop of Page
Discrimination on the Basis of Religious Beliefs
Topic added. An employee may not be required to conduct scientific research, experimentation or study that involves the creation or use of preimplantation embryos in relation to human embryonic stem cell research to the extent that such research conflicts with the sincerely-held religious practices or beliefs of the employee. Chapter 111L, Section 7, as enacted by Ch. 27 (S.B. 2039), L. 2005, effective May 31, 2005. ¶22-20,250.01
MichiganTop of Page
Minimum Wage Law
The current living wage rate for Ingham County is $12.10 per hour (without benefits).
MinnesotaTop of Page
Recordkeeping/Posters Law
The state has updated its minimum wage posters (English and Spanish versions).
MississippiTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
MissouriTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
MontanaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
NebraskaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
NevadaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
New HampshireTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
New JerseyTop of Page
Recordkeeping/Posters Law
The state has updated the following workplace posters: Conscientious Employee Protection Act poster (Spanish); wage and hour law abstract; payment of wages poster; child labor law abstract; and unemployment insurance poster.
New MexicoTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
New YorkTop of Page
Maximum Hours Law
The state has enacted a law exempting certain drivers engaged in the restoration of water service from statutory hours of labor requirements (S. 4011, L. 2005).

Recordkeeping/Posters Law
The state's discrimination poster has been updated.
North CarolinaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
North DakotaTop of Page
Recordkeeping/Posters Law
The state has updated its minimum wage and work conditions poster.
OhioTop of Page

Minimum Wage Law
The current hourly living wage rate for Lakewood, Ohio, is $9.50 if the employer provides health benefits, and $10.54 if health benefits are not provided.

Also, the current hourly living wage rate for Cincinnati, Ohio, is $8.96 if the employer provides health benefits, and $10.50 if health benefits are not provided.

Ohio Criminal Background Checks Rules
Child care center administrators and personnel are required to sign a statement of non-conviction and to undergo a criminal history check as a condition of licensure and employment. Chapter 5101:2-12, Section 5101:2-12-26, as amended effective Sept. 1, 2005. ¶36-23,651.01. 

Persons operating a family day-care home are required to provide a statement of non-conviction and undergo a criminal history check. Chapter 5101:2-13, Section 5101:2-13-26, as amended effective Sept. 1, 2005. ¶36-23,651.11.
OklahomaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
OregonTop of Page
Family, Medical and Parental Leaves Law
The state has amended the definition of "health care provider" under the Oregon Family Leave Act (S. 576, L. 2005).

Unemployment Insurance Law
The maximum weekly benefit amount in Oregon effective July 3, 2005, is $434, and the minimum amount is $101.

Violence in the Workplace Law
The state has enacted a law allowing a public servant or public servant's employer to seek an injunction against a person engaging in certain criminal conduct, including assault, trespass or harassment, directed at a public servant and related to a public servant's employment or status as elected or appointed (S. 218, L. 2005).
PennsylvaniaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
Puerto RicoTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
Rhode IslandTop of Page

Rhode Island Discrimination Against Smokers Rule
Rules prohibiting public and private employers, as a condition of employment, from requiring employees to refrain from smoking outside the course of employment have been clarified. R23-20.10, Sections 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0, as amended effective Sept. 1, 2005. ¶41-21,400.01 through  ¶41-21,400.03.
South CarolinaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
South DakotaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
TennesseeTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
TexasTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
UtahTop of Page
Utah Discrimination Rules, State Employment
State employees may file a charge with the Utah Anti-Discrimination and Labor Division within 180 days of the alleged unlawful employment discrimination, or directly with the EEOC within 300 days. Rule R477-2, Section R477-2-3, as amended effective July 2, 2005.  ¶46-20,075.01.

 Utah Rules for Family Leave, State Employees
In the event the employee has the maximum accrued in converted sick, these hours will be added to the annual leave account balance. Also, provisions relating to coverage under the Federal FMLA that were adopted in July of 2004, have been rescinded. R477-7, Sections R477-7-5, R477-7-13 and R477-7-15, as amended effective July 2, 2005.  ¶46-22,500.02 through  ¶46-22,500.04.
VermontTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
VirginiaTop of Page
Recordkeeping/Posters Law
The City of Alexandria's living wage poster has been updated.
WashingtonTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
West VirginiaTop of Page
No updates as of August 29, 2005
WisconsinTop of Page

No updates as of August 29, 2005
WyomingTop of Page

Recordkeeping/Posters Law
The state regulatory poster has been updated.

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