State Laws

Oklahoma City – Jonnie Yvonne Vasquez occasionally needed to lift shoe boxes as part of her job at a department store in Oklahoma.One day, as she lifted boxes, Vasquez injured her neck and shoulder. Soon after, she filed claims for benefits. But her employer had opted out of traditional workers’ compensation, as it was entitled to do by state law, and denied Vasquez’s claims for treatment.

Albany, NY – New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) has signed legislation that will elevate assaults on the state’s utility workers, transit station and terminal cleaners, and process servers – formerly misdemeanors – to Class D felonies.

Indianapolis – A recent spike in targeted attacks against public safety officers, including one in his home state, has prompted an Indiana lawmaker to take action.

Sacramento, CA – Lawmakers in the California Assembly on May 19 approved a bill intended to improve protections for health care workers and patients exposed to toxic fumes in surgical settings.

Boston – Hospitals and other health care facilities in Massachusetts would be required to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs to protect their workers as part of legislation advancing through the state House and Senate.

An Oklahoma law allowing employers the option to “opt out” of traditional workers’ compensation was ruled unconstitutional. But the fight is far from over, and a decision in the state’s Supreme Court could set a precedent for the rest of the nation.

Frankfort, KY – A sharp downturn in the coal mining industry is prompting some lawmakers in Kentucky to consider ending state safety inspections of coal mines.

Sacramento, CA – Legislation recently proposed in California would create health standards intended to help prevent the hiring of fashion models who are too thin.

Montpelier, VT – Vermont may be on track to become the fifth state in the nation to guarantee paid sick leave for workers.

Honolulu – Injured public employees in Hawaii must complete a return-to-work program before receiving vocational rehabilitation benefits, under a new state law.