State Laws

Sacramento, CA — Workers with high blood lead levels will now have their cases referred to the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health – or Cal/OSHA – for review and possible action, under legislation signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Oct. 10.

New York — Large, complex construction sites in New York City must immediately post at their exits multilingual notices about upcoming safety training requirements, Department of Buildings Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca announced Oct. 15.

Sacramento, CA — More than a million workers in California who are classified as independent contractors will have their employment status restored under legislation signed into law Sept. 18 by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

Springfield, IL — Beginning July 1, hotels and casinos in Illinois will be required to have anti-sexual harassment policies that include, for certain workers, access to a safety button or notification device that alerts security staff.

Springfield, IL — Legislation signed into law Aug. 9 by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) requires freight trains operating in the state to have at least two crew members, challenging the Federal Railroad Administration’s recent effort to prevent states from regulating train crew sizes.

Sacramento, CA — An emergency regulation in California intended to protect outdoor workers from potentially dangerous wildfire smoke was enacted July 30 by the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, also known as Cal/OSHA.

Hartford, CT — Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, workers in Connecticut will have the option to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for themselves or family members.

Carson City, NV — Nevada has become the first state to prohibit almost all employers in the state from denying employment to job candidates who test positive for marijuana.

Trenton, NJ — Calling it the first state law of its kind, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on June 11 signed a bill intended to help protect hotel housekeeping and room service workers against assault and harassment.

Carson City, NV — Nevada has become the latest state to require hospitals and other health care facilities to create and implement workplace violence prevention programs and report incidents.