Regulations/Legislation

Washington — After numerous attempts over the past eight years, the House on Sept. 17 passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act by a 329-73 vote.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the Senate would temporarily limit COVID-19 liability for employers who comply with public health guidelines and aren’t acting with “gross negligence.”

Washington — Democratic lawmakers looking to reform state unemployment systems have introduced a Senate bill that would incentivize states to address workers’ COVID-19 safety and health concerns.

Washington — The United Mine Workers of America and the United Steelworkers are suing the Department of Labor and the Mine Safety and Health Administration in an effort to compel MSHA to issue an emergency temporary standard on infectious diseases amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Corvallis, OR — Future safety regulations need to reward employer innovation that improves both worker safety and a business’s likelihood of survival, researchers say after finding that “organizations that do not provide a safe workplace gain an economic advantage over those that do.”

Washington — Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) have introduced a proposal to establish extra protections for workers considered essential in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, part of what the lawmakers call an “Essential Workers Bill of Rights” to be included in any potential upcoming coronavirus relief measures from Congress.

Washington — Employers with fewer than 500 employees, as well as all government employers, must provide 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave to full-time workers who are in quarantine as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking diagnosis or preventive care for the illness, or caring for affected family members, under legislation signed into law March 18 by President Donald Trump.

Washington — Legislation that would prevent the T-Band spectrum – a public safety radio network intended to ease communication among first responders in 11 metropolitan areas – from being auctioned to other users has garnered support from International Association of Fire Chiefs President and Board Chair Gary Ludwig and International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger.

Washington — The House on March 14 passed a bill that would require employers with fewer than 500 employees and all government employers to provide 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave to full-time workers who are in quarantine as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking diagnosis or preventive care for the illness, or caring for affected family members.

Washington — Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) have introduced legislation that would allow workers to accrue up to 56 hours of paid sick leave while requiring employers to immediately provide 112 additional hours during public health emergencies, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.