State Law Changes

November 30, 2006 Update

Religious Discrimination Law

The state has added employment protections against religious discrimination for employees of 
specified Class 4 municipalities (Act 233 (H. 539), L. 2006, at AL ¶1-2900).

Voting Leave Law

Effective January 1, 2007, Alabama law will provide that any duly appointed precinct election 
official shall be excused from his or her employment without penalty or loss of time for election 
day only in order to perform the duties of the position to which he or she has been appointed. 
Current law excuses any “inspector, clerk, or returning officer” (Act 570 (H. 100), L. 2006, at 
AL ¶1-7300).

Military and Emergency Services Leave Law

The state has added employment protections for volunteer emergency workers. Such workers may not be terminated for responding to an emergency (Act 428 (H. 437), L. 2006, at AL ¶1-7200).

Minimum Wage Law

On November 7, 2006, Arizona voters approved Proposition 202 (Raise the Minimum Wage for Working Arizonans Act). Effective January 1, 2007, employers will be required to pay a minimum wage of $6.75 per hour (AZ ¶3-1000).

Smoking in the Workplace Law

On November 7, 2006, Arizona voters approved Proposition 201, the Smoke-Free Arizona Act, effective May 1, 2007. This proposition significantly amends existing law (AZ ¶3-2700).

Wage Payment Law

The state has amended its law relating to payment of sales reps' commissions upon termination of a contract (Ch. 185 (S. 1402), L. 2006, at AZ ¶3-1200).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Arkansas through June 30, 2007, is $395. The minimum weekly benefit amount is $71 (AR ¶4-1700).

Child Support Enforcement Law

The state has enacted a law imposing liability upon any business entity that knowingly assists a 
child support obligor in the evasion of his or her support obligations (Ch. 820 (A. 2440), L. 
2005, enacted September 30, 2006, at CA ¶5-5500).

Disability Law

On and after January 1, 2009, manufacturers or distributors of touch-screen devices used for the 
purpose of self-service check-in at a hotel or at a facility providing passenger transportation 
services shall offer for availability touch-screen self-service check-in devices that contain the 
necessary technology that enables a person with a visual impairment to make a transaction in the 
same manner afforded to those without visual impairments (Ch. 546 (A. 768), L. 2005, enacted 
September 28, 2006, at CA ¶5-2600).

Fair Employment Practices Law

The California law requiring that employers with 50 or more employees provide sexual harassment 
training to supervisory employees has been amended to limit the training requirement to apply to 
those supervisory employees within the state of California (Ch. 737 (A. 2095), L. 2005, effective 
January 1, 2007, at CA ¶5-2500).

The Local Pandemic and Emergency Health Preparedness Act of 2006 will take effect January 1, 
2007. Employers' handling of employee medical information may be affected by this law (Ch. 874 
(S. 1430), L. 2005, enacted September 30, 2006, at CA ¶5-2500).

Family, Medical and Parental Leaves Law

On November 7, 2006, San Francisco voters passed an initiative (Measure F) guaranteeing paid sick days to San Francisco workers. The measure will take effect 90 days after the election results are certified (CA ¶5-7000).

Health Insurance Benefit Coverage Law

The state has enacted a law expanding the coverage for an annual cervical cancer screening test 
provided by a group insurer to include the human papillomavirus screening test (Ch. 482 (S. 
1245), L. 2005, enacted September 26, 2006, at CA ¶5-4000).

Additionally, the state has enacted a law allowing podiatrists to prescribe orthotic and 
prosthetic devices covered by a group health plan or insurer. On and after July 1, 2007, the 
amount of the benefit for orthotic and prosthetic devices and services may be no less than the 
annual lifetime benefit maximums applicable to all benefits in the policy (Ch. 756 (A. 2012), L. 
2005, enacted September 29, 2006, at CA ¶5-4000).

Military and Emergency Services Leave Law

The state has enacted a law requiring the Military Department to comply with USERRA, and 
providing that Military Department personnel shall be considered employees and provided the same 
federal reemployment protection and benefits given to other employees under USERRA (Ch. 680 (S. 
1697), L. 2005, enacted September 29, 2006, at CA ¶5-7200).

Minimum Wage Law/Overtime Pay Law

Living wage rates for the City of Ventura as well as Ventura County have been updated (CA 
¶5-1000). Also, effective January 1, 2007, the minimum hourly wage rate a computer software employee must be paid to be exempt from state overtime requirements will be $49.77 (CA ¶5-1000).
Effective January 1, 2007, the minimum hourly wage rate licensed physicians and surgeons must 
receive to be exempt from state overtime requirements will be adjusted to $64.18 (CA ¶5-1100).

Recordkeeping/Posters Law

The state's program entitled “Address Confidentiality for Reproductive Health Care Services 
Providers, Employees, Volunteers, and Patients,” which had been scheduled to expire on January 1, 
2008, has been extended until January 1, 2013 (Ch. 475 (A. 2169), L. 2005, at CA ¶5-9900).

The state has also amended its Health and Safety Code with respect to recordkeeping requirements 
for specified residential facilities for the elderly. The new requirements, which will take 
effect January 1, 2008, relate to employee training in medication administration/management (Ch. 
615 (A. 2609), L. 2005, enacted September 29, 2006, at CA ¶5-9900).

Existing law, until January 1, 2007, regulates the industry of car washing and polishing by 
providing specific recordkeeping requirements that employers of car washers must implement with 
regard to car washer wages, hours, and working conditions. On September 29, 2006, the state 
enacted a law extending the repeal date to January 1, 2010 (Ch. 656 (S. 1468), L. 2005, enacted 
September 29, 2006, at CA ¶5-9900).

California has expanded the protection of reproductive health care workers' personal information 
by enacting a law relating to online/Internet privacy with respect to this group (Ch. 486 (A. 
2251), L. 2005, enacted September 26, 2006, at CA ¶5-9900).

California has updated its general minimum wage order poster (MW-2007) to reflect the rates that will take effect January 1, 2007, and January 1, 2008 (CA ¶5-9900).

Religious Discrimination Law

The state has amended its law relating to emergency contraceptive drug therapy and pharmacists 
who object to providing this therapy on religious grounds. The new requirements relate to posting 
a notice for consumers regarding their rights on this topic (Ch. 487 (A. 2583), L. 2005, enacted 
September 26, 2006, at CA ¶5-2900).

Smoking in the Workplace Law

Effective January 1, 2007, the state has added a definition of “enclosed space” to the law that 
prohibits smoking in enclosed spaces of certain places of employment to include lobbies, lounges, 
waiting areas, elevators, stairwells, and restrooms that are a structural part of the building 
that is the place of employment (Ch. 736 (A. 2067), L. 2005, enacted September 29, 2006, at CA ¶5-2700).

Violence in the Workplace Law

Existing California law provides that any employer whose employee has suffered unlawful violence 
or a credible threat of violence, that can reasonably be construed to be carried out or to have 
been carried out at the workplace, may seek a temporary restraining order (TRO) and an injunction 
on behalf of the employee.

On September 26, 2006, the state enacted a law that will allow an employer to seek a restraining 
order or an injunction on behalf of any of his or her employees. The law also provides that a TRO 
or an injunction issued under these provisions may include persons employed at any of the 
plaintiff's workplaces, at the discretion of the court (Ch. 476 (A. 2695), L. 2005, at CA ¶5-3300).

Wage Payment Law

California employers are required to provide their employees with an itemized wage statement 
either semimonthly or at the time of payment of wages that shows the total hours worked, with a 
specified exception. This law has been amended to provide that an employer is in compliance with 
state law if overtime hours worked in a current pay period are itemized as corrections on the 
paystub for the next regular pay period. The paystub corrections must reflect the dates of the 
pay period they refer to (Ch. 737 (A. 2095), L. 2005, effective January 1, 2007, at CA ¶5-1200).

Effective January 1, 2007, an employee engaged in the production or broadcasting of motion 
pictures whose employment terminates, whether by discharge, layoff, resignation, completion of 
employment, or otherwise, will be entitled to receive payment of the wages earned and unpaid at 
the time of termination by the next regular payday. This law applies to a person employed in 
movie production or broadcasting if the employee is hired for a limited duration to support a 
particular motion picture production or broadcasting project or is hired on the basis of one or 
more daily or weekly calls (Ch. 824 (A. 3051), L. 2005, effective January 1, 2007, at CA ¶5-1200).

A new provision has been added to the California Labor Code to permit certain employees working 
in the entertainment industry and their employers to enter into a collective bargaining agreement 
to establish a time limit for payment of wages after an employee is discharged or laid off (Ch. 
685 (S. 1719), L. 2005, effective January 1, 2007, at CA ¶5-1200).

Whistleblower Protection Law

The Local Community Rail Security Act of 2006 provides protection for rail workers who report 
violations of the law. An employee against whom a punitive action is taken may seek civil damages 
of up to $1,000,000 from the employer under this new law (Ch. 867 (A. 3023), L. 2005, enacted 
September 30, 2006, at CA ¶5-3600).

Discrimination Based on Abortion and Contraceptive Drugs Law

The state has amended its law relating to emergency contraceptive drug therapy and pharmacists who object to providing this therapy on religious grounds. The new requirements relate to posting a notice for consumers regarding their rights on this topic. Business and Professions Code, Division 2, Chapter 1, Article 10.5, Section 733, as amended by Ch. 487 (A.B. 2583), L. 2006, effective Jan. 1, 2007. ¶5-20,250.02.

Minimum Wage Law

On November 7, 2006, voters approved Amendment 42, raising the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $6.85 per hour on January 1, 2007. This rate applies to employees who receive the state or federal minimum wage. For employees receiving tips, no more than $3.02 per hour in tip income may be used to offset the minimum wage rate (CO ¶6-1000).

Unemployment Insurance Law

Effective October 1, 2006, the maximum weekly benefit amount in Connecticut increased to $483. 
The minimum weekly benefit amount is set in the law at $15 (CT ¶7-1700).

Health Insurance Benefit Coverage Law

The state has enacted a law requiring health insurers to continue coverage for adult children 
under a preexisting family policy or adult dependent coverage until those children turn 24 years 
of age, provided that they either live in the state or are full-time students (H. 446, L. 2005, 
enacted July 10, 2006, at DE ¶8-4000).

Military and Emergency Services Leave Law

The District has amended, on an emergency basis, the District of Columbia Government Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978 to allow District government employees who serve in the reserve units of the U.S. Armed Forces and who have been called or will be called to active duty as a result of Operation Enduring Freedom, or in preparation for or as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom, to receive a pay differential. This emergency law, cited as the “Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Active Duty Pay Differential Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2006,” expires on January 17, 2007 (Act 516 (B. 946), L. 2005, enacted October 25, 2006, at DC ¶9-7200).

Compliance Rules and Regulations Regarding Gender Identity or Expression

Rules were adopted by the District of Columbia Commission on Human Rights regarding discrimination based on gender identity or expression in employment, housing, public accommodations, or educational institutions, including all agencies of the District of Columbia government and its contractors. Title 4, Chapter 8, Rules 800 through 899, as adopted effective Oct. 27, 2006. ¶9-20,500.001 through ¶9-20,500.09.

Posting of Notices-District Employees Mayor’s Order 2006-151

All documents that recite the District of Columbia's policy against discrimination shall fully enumerate all categories of discrimination protected from discrimination by the Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended. Mayor’s order 2006-151, signed Nov. 17, 2006, effective Dec. 17, 2006. ¶9-23,900.01.

Fair Employment Practices Law

The state has enacted a law specifically prohibiting employment discrimination by the Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority (Ch. 2006-363 (H. 1629), L. 2006, at FL ¶10-2500).

Meal and Rest Periods Law

A person who operates a commercial motor vehicle solely in interstate commerce (other than in the 
transportation of hazardous materials requiring placarding pursuant to federal safety 
regulations) may not drive more than 12 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty or for a 
period after the end of the 16th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off 
duty. Further, such motor carriers may not drive after having been on duty more than 70 hours in 
any period of seven consecutive days or more than 80 hours in any period of eight consecutive 
days if the motor carrier operates every day of the week. Such workers must have 34 consecutive 
hours off duty as completion of the seven- or eight-day consecutive workweek (Ch. 290 (H. 7079), 
L. 2006, at FL ¶10-1400).

Minimum Wage Law

Florida's minimum wage will increase to $6.67 per hour effective January 1, 2007. This represents 
a 27 cent increase over the current wage rate of $6.40 per hour (Florida Agency for Workforce 
Innovation News Release, September 28, 2006, at FL ¶10-1000).

Recordkeeping/Posters Law

The state's new minimum wage posters that must be displayed beginning January 1, 2007, have been added (FL ¶10-9900).

Preemployment Inquiries Law

The state has enacted a law providing that criminal history record checks may be conducted by the 
Department of Health on all prospective employees at various enumerated health care facilities. 
Also, the state now allows criminal history record checks by the Department of Human Services on 
licensed adult day care center employees, foster grandparent program participants, and contracted 
service providers (Act 220 (S. 2343), L. 2005, enacted June 21, 2006, at HI ¶12-9000).

Preemployment Inquiries Law

The state has amended its law relating to school board hiring policies (Act 723 (H. 1082), L. 
2006, at LA ¶19-9000).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The taxable wage base in Louisiana remains at $7,000 for 2007 (LA ¶19-1700).

Smoking in the Workplace Law

Provisions in the Code of Maine Rules relating to workplace smoking and smoking in public places 
have been amended, effective October 2, 2006 (ME ¶20-2700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

Effective October 1, 2006, the maximum weekly benefit amount in Massachusetts increased to $575. 
The maximum dependents' allowance increased to $287 on that date, so that the total maximum 
weekly benefit amount is $862 (MA ¶22-1700).

Fair Employment Practices Law

Ballot Issue 06-2, a measure to ban affirmative action, was approved by voters on November 7, 2006. This initiative amends the state Constitution to ban affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting purposes (MI ¶23-2500).

Health Insurance Benefits Coverage Law

Effective January 1, 2007, group insurers and HMOs may offer group wellness coverage. Wellness 
coverage may provide for an appropriate rebate or reduction in premiums or for reduced 
copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles, or a combination of these incentives, for participation 
in any health behavior wellness, maintenance, or improvement program offered by an employer (P.A. 
412 (S. 848) and P.A. 13 (S. 849), L. 2005, enacted September 29, 2006, at MI ¶23-4000).

Recordkeeping/Posters Law

The state’s minimum wage law poster and the Washtenaw County living wage poster have been updated 
(MI ¶23-9900).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The State of Minnesota prepares two separate computations of the weekly benefit amount for each 
claim, with the intent to pay 50% of an individual’s average weekly gross wage: total base period 
wages divided by 104, subject to a maximum weekly benefit amount of $521, effective August 6, 
2006; and high quarter wages divided by 26, subject to a maximum of $351, effective August 6, 
2006. The individual’s maximum weekly benefit amount is whichever computation is higher (MN ¶24-1700).

The taxable wage base in Minnesota for 2007 remains at $24,000 (MN ¶24-1700).

Violence in the Workplace Law

The state has enacted a law clarifying liabilities of and specifying certain immunity for 
employers with respect to the transportation or storage of firearms on employer property (Ch. 450 
(H. 1141), L. 2006, at MS ¶25-3300).

Minimum Wage Law

On November 7, 2006, voters approved Proposition B, raising the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $6.50 per hour, effective January 1, 2007. Amendment by Proposition B also provides an exemption for certain agricultural employees and employers, if certain conditions are met. For learners and apprentices, employers may pay not less than 90 cents less than the minimum wage (MO ¶26-1000).

Bone Marrow and Organ Donation Leave Rule-Public Employees

State employees are entitled to a paid leave of absence to serve as a bone marrow or organ donor. Title 1, Division 20, Chapter 5, Section 1 CSR 20-5.020, as amended effective Dec. 30, 2006. ¶26-23,300.01.

Minimum Wage Law

On November 7, 2006, voters approved Initiative 151, raising the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $6.15 per hour, effective January 1, 2007. This $6.15 per hour rate excludes the value of tips received and special provisions for a training wage. For small employers whose annual gross sales are $110,000 or less, the minimum wage to be paid employees is $4 an hour (MT ¶27-1000).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The current maximum weekly benefit amount in Montana is $362, and the minimum is $103 (MT ¶27-1700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

Weekly benefit amount information has been updated (NE ¶28-1700).

Minimum Wage Law

On November 7, 2006, voters approved the Raise the Minimum Wage for Working Nevadans Act by amending the state's constitution. Effective November 28, 2006, employers who offer specified health benefits to their employees can pay a minimum wage of $5.15 per hour. If such benefits are not provided, the minimum wage rate is $6.15 per hour (NV ¶29-1000).

Overtime Pay Law

On November 7, 2006, voters approved the Raise the Minimum Wage for Working Nevadans Act by amending the state's constitution. This constitutional amendment also affects the state's daily overtime requirement, effective November 28, 2006 (NV ¶29-1100).

Smoking in the Workplace Law

On November 7, 2006, voters approved Initiative Petition 1, the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act. The law prohibits smoking in most public places, including places of employment (NV ¶29-2700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The current maximum weekly benefit amount in Nevada is $362. The minimum amount is $16 (NV ¶29-1700).

The taxable wage base in Nevada for 2007 will be $24,600. This is an increase of $600 over the 
2006 taxable wage base amount of $24,000 (NV ¶29-1700).

Fair Employment Practices Law

New Hampshire Governor John H. Lynch has issued an executive order updating the state's policy on 
sexual harassment (Executive Order 2006-9, at NH ¶30-2500).

Marital Status Discrimination Law/Sexual Orientation Discrimination Law

New Jersey's Supreme Court has ruled that the state constitution guarantees same-sex couples all 
the legal benefits of marriage. The court did not, however, legalize same-sex marriage. The New 
Jersey ruling gave the state legislature until April 22, 2007--180 days from the ruling--to come 
up with a way to give same-sex couples equal access to the protections of marriage (Lewis v 
Harris, NJSCt, October 25, 2006, 2006 NJ LEXIS 1521, at NJ ¶31-3200 and NJ ¶31-3100).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The taxable wage base in New Mexico for 2007 will be $18,600. This is an increase of $700 from 
the 2006 taxable wage base amount of $17,900 (NM ¶32-1700).

Health Insurance Benefit Coverage Law

New York’s highest court has upheld a narrow exemption for “religious employers” found in the 
Women's Health and Wellness Act, a law that requires most health insurance plans that provide 
coverage for prescription drugs to include coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices. The 
ruling forces faith-based social service organizations that object to contraception on religious 
grounds to, nevertheless, include contraceptive coverage in their employee health plans (Catholic 
Charities of the Diocese of Albany v Serio, as Superintendent of Insurance, NY Ct App, October 
19, 2006, 2006 NY LEXIS 3201, at NY ¶33-4000).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The maximum weekly benefit amount in North Carolina for the year beginning August 1, 2006, is 
$457. The minimum weekly benefit amount is $39 (NC ¶34-1700).

SUTA dumping provisions have been added (NC ¶34-1700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The current maximum weekly benefit amount in North Dakota is $351, and the minimum amount is $43 
(ND ¶35-1700).

The taxable wage base in North Dakota for 2007 will be $21,300. This is an increase of $1,000 from the 2006 taxable wage base amount of $20,300 (ND ¶35-1700).

Minimum Wage Law

State Issue 2 (Ohio Fair Minimum Wage Amendment), approved by voters on November 7, 2006, raises the state minimum wage to $6.85 per hour, effective January 1, 2007 (OH ¶36-1000).

Smoking in the Workplace Law

State Issue 5, approved by voters on November 7, 2006, enacts statutory law prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment. Limited exemptions are provided (OH ¶36-2700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

Weekly benefit amount information has been updated (OH ¶36-1700 ).

Recordkeeping/Posters Law

The state has updated its minimum wage posters (English and Spanish versions) (OR ¶38-9900).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The current maximum weekly benefit amount in Oregon is $445, and the minimum amount is $104 (OR ¶38-1700).

Bureau of Labor Rules of Administrative Procedure

An injured worker’s right to reinstatement terminates if the worker refuses a bona fide offer from the employer of light duty or modified employment that is suitable prior to becoming medically stationary. This rule was temporarily amended on March 13, 2006 and expired September 8, 2006. Chapter 839, Division 6, Section 839-006-0131, as amended by BLI 34-2006, effective Oct. 4, 2006. ¶38-20,129.131.

Family Medical Leave Rules

Oregon has amended it Bureau of Labor Rules to clarify that, under USERRA, a reemployed service member would be eligible for leave under OFLA if the number of days and the number of hours of work for which the service member was employed by the civilian employer, together with the number of days and number of hours of work for which the service member would have been employed by the civilian employer during the period of uniformed service, meet OFLA’s eligibility requirements. In the event that a service member is denied OFLA leave for failing to satisfy the OFLA days and hours of work requirement due to absence from employment necessitated by uniformed service, the service member may have a cause of action under USERRA but not under OFLA. Chapter 839, Division 9, Section 839-000-0210, as amended by BLI 35-2006, effective Oct. 4, 2006. ¶38-22,500.01.

Criminal Background Checks Rules

The time for submitting employment related fingerprints for law enforcement officers was clarified. Chapter 259, Division 8, Section 259-008-0010, as amended by DPSST 12-2006, effective Oct. 13, 2006. ¶38-23,653.01.

Military and Emergency Services Leave Law

The state has amended its Military Affairs Code relating to leaves of absence for government employees who are members of the state National Guard (Act 2006-150 (S. 1266), L. 2005, enacted November 9, 2006, at PA ¶39-7200).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The current maximum UI weekly benefit amount in Rhode Island is $492. The minimum amount is $65.

The current maximum TDI weekly benefit in Rhode Island is $625. The minimum amount is $66 (RI ¶41-1700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The current maximum and minimum weekly benefit amounts in South Carolina continue to be $303 and $20, respectively (SC ¶42-1700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The current maximum weekly benefit amount in South Dakota is $274 (SD ¶43-1700).

Meal and Rest Periods Law

The state has expanded protections for nursing mothers. In addition to state law requiring 
employers to provide breaks for nursing mothers, the state now gives mothers the right to 
breastfeed their babies in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are 
otherwise authorized to be (Ch. 617 (H. 3582), L. 2005, enacted May 4, 2006, at TN ¶44-1400).

Unemployment Insurance Law

Effective until June 30, 2007, new nongovernmental employers in Tennessee continue to pay 2.7%; 
new construction employers under NAICS category 23 pay 6.0%; new manufacturing employers under 
NAICS category 31 pay 6.0%; new manufacturing employers under NAICS category 33 pay 6.0%; new 
mining employers under NAICS category 21 pay 7.5%; and new governmental employers continue to pay 
1.5% (TN ¶44-1700).

Breast-feeding Rights in Employment Law

Topic added. The state has expanded protections for nursing mothers. In addition to state law requiring employers to provide breaks for nursing mothers, the state now gives mothers the right to breastfeed their babies in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be. Title 68, Chapter 58, Section 68-58-101, as enacted by Ch. 617 (H.B. 3582), L. 2005, effective May 4, 2006. ¶44-22,651.01.

Unemployment Insurance Law

The current maximum weekly benefit amount in Texas is $364, and the minimum weekly benefit amount is $56 (TX ¶45-1700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

Weekly benefit amount information has been updated (UT ¶46-1700).

Minimum Wage Law

Vermont's minimum wage will increase from $7.25 per hour to $7.53 per hour, on January 1, 2007, Governor Jim Douglas has announced (Vermont Officer of the Governor Press Release, November 9, 2006, at VT ¶47-1000).

Unemployment Insurance Law

Certain direct sellers have been excluded from the definition of “employment.” Specifically, a direct seller of consumer products (including services and other intangibles) who operates from a home or other location that is not a permanent retail establishment falls under the exception, if his or her pay is substantially related to sales (rather than hours worked) and the seller’s contract specifically states that he or she will not be treated as an employee for federal and state tax purposes (VT ¶47-1700).

Access to Personnel Records Law

All information contained in the personnel files of an individual employee of any public agency must be made available to that individual employee or to a designated representative of the employee. Title 1, Chapter 5, Subchapter 3, Section 317, as amended by Act 132 (H.B. 615), L. 2005, July 1, 2006. ¶47-23,700.01.

Smoking in the Workplace Law

Governor Timothy M. Kaine has signed an executive order banning smoking in state offices and 
vehicles, effective January 1, 2007 (Executive Order 41 (2006), at VA  ¶48-2700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

Weekly benefit amount information has been updated (VA  ¶48-1700).

Minimum Wage Law

Washington's minimum wage will increase to $7.93 per hour effective January 1, 2007 (Washington 
Department of Labor and Industries Press Release, September 29, 2006, at WA ¶49-1000 ).

Unemployment Insurance Law

For 2007, the taxable wage base in Washington increases to $31,400, from $30,900.
Also, the maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington has been capped by the legislature at $496. 
The minimum amount increased to $116, effective July 1, 2006 (WA ¶49-1700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The current maximum weekly benefit amount in West Virginia is $391. The minimum is $24 (WV ¶50-1700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

Weekly benefit amount information has been updated (WI ¶51-1700).

Unemployment Insurance Law

The current minimum weekly benefit amount in Wyoming is $25, and the current maximum weekly 
benefit amount is $349 (WY ¶52-1700).