State News

Tallahassee, FL — Advancing in the Florida Senate: a bill that would allow some 14- and 15-year-olds to work overnight shifts and would remove restrictions on 16- and 17-year-olds working before 6:30 a.m. and after 11 p.m. during the school week.

Frankfort, KY — A new Kentucky law reduces – to one from two – the number of certified emergency medical and mine emergency technicians required during each shift at small underground coal mines.

Annapolis, MD — A recently introduced bill that would protect Maryland fire and rescue workers from certain disciplinary actions for off-duty medical cannabis use has advanced out of the state Senate.

Tallahassee, FL — Legislation recently introduced in Florida would require employers to take measures – including providing water breaks and shaded rest areas – to protect outdoor workers from extreme heat.

Springfield, IL — Legislation that would direct the Illinois Department of Labor to establish – by Jan. 1 – standards intended to protect workers from excessive heat and cold is advancing in the state House.

Frankfort, KY — Kentucky legislators have responded quickly to Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) veto of a bill that would have limited enforcement of any new or existing state workplace safety and health regulations that are more stringent than federal OSHA standards.

Frankfort, KY — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) has vetoed a bill that would have limited enforcement of any new or existing state workplace safety and health regulations that are more stringent than federal OSHA standards.

Augusta, ME — A bill recently introduced in the Maine Legislature would amend state law to allow employees younger than 16 to work expanded hours throughout the year.

New York — The number of construction workers killed in New York state jumped 48% in 2023 from 2022, translating to an 8.3% increase in the fatality rate, according to a recent report from a worker advocacy group.

Sacramento, CA — Legislation that would require autonomous delivery vehicles traveling on California highways to have a trained human operator on board is on the move in the state Assembly.