Legislative Update for the Week of December 2, 2013

Four Headaches Facing Multistate Employers in the U.S.

With much of the focus on the federal healthcare law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and other federal initiatives (or the lack thereof due to political constraints in Congress), it is often all too easy for employers operating in multiple states to overlook the need to familiarize themselves with the many state laws to which they are subject. Alternatively, multistate employers may very well know they need to keep their eye on state laws throughout the country – but quickly become overwhelmed by the sheer number of rules and regulations coming out of the states in which they operate. Understanding how those laws may interact with or alter the effect of federal law may be as equally complicated. Read the full post here. (December 4, 2013)

House Subcommittee Hearing Examines New OFCCP Actions

The House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss recent Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) rules and other initiatives affecting federal contractors, subcontractors, and healthcare providers.  Notably, the OFCCP recently issued its final revised affirmative action rules for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Among other requirements, these rules set hiring benchmarks for veterans, and a 7% utilization goal for employment of qualified individuals with disabilities for each of the job groups established in the contractor's women and minorities' affirmative action plans. Read the full post here. (December 4, 2013)

Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.