Laws and Regulations Taking Effect in 2022

What changes in laws and regulations are coming into effect in the United States in 2022?

Here are some of the important federal and state laws you could need to know about.

Family Leave Laws

You may only take note of laws and regulations when they affect you directly, such as when you have to follow new employment rules or make a personal injury claim with a law firm like Gomez Trial Attorneys. But of course, we all follow numerous laws and regulations all of the time.

However, most of us are not aware of many new laws that are regularly passed. For instance, did you know that several states, including New York, Oregon, and Illinois, recently passed family leave-related legislation that will come into effect in 2022?

Furthermore, California has now introduced protected leave for the care of private and public sector workers’ parents-in-law.

Employee Vaccination and Testing Laws

As we begin 2022, a non-permanent law has come into effect to tackle Covid-19 at the workplace.

The OSHA has issued an Emergency Temporary Standard that requires employers with 100 employees or more to make sure every employee is either vaccinated against the coronavirus or submits to a weekly Covid-19 test.

Employers will need to keep up to date with that regulation and keep an eye on legal changes in other areas in response to Covid-19 as we journey through 2022.

Anti-discrimination Laws

The antidiscrimination landscape is evolving in Oregon, to help protect even more people.

Oregon has amended its anti-discrimination statute to protect natural hairstyles at workplaces.

Some localities in North Carolina have adopted similar approaches.

Non-Compete Agreement Regulations

Three states have refined their approaches to enforcing non-compete agreements.

Oregon’s is the most noteworthy. Non-compete agreements in Oregon that are longer than 12 months are now unenforceable. The new law came into effect on January 1, 2022.

More Employer Penalties for Misclassifications

Distinguishing independent contractors from employees has been a contentious legal issue for some time. Distinctions between the two types of workers have evolved further in some states now.

That means employers who misclassify contractors and employees face further penalization than before.

Equality Laws for Toilet Facilities

In Ohio, the law has changed regarding toilet facilities.

Equal access must be given to single-occupancy toilet facilities in public places regardless of the user’s sex, gender identity, family status, and physical or mental capacity.

The law came into effect on January 1, 2022.

Tip Laws

The federal 80/20 Rule, which governs how employees who are entitled to tips under the Fair Labor Standards Act, was recently updated.

As of December 28, 2021, employers may only take tip credits when employees are performing work that is part of a tipped profession.

Employment that does not directly or substantially support tip-producing work must be paid at the full minimum wage level.

Wage Theft Is Now Grand Theft in California

As of January 1, 2022, intentional theft of wages by an employer, that is greater than $950 for one employer and $2,350 for two or more employers over a period of 12 months, is now punishable in California as grand theft.

The law has been updated via Section 487m of the California Penal Code.

Salary History Laws

Also as of January 1, 2022, in Illinois, employers are now prohibited from seeking job applicants’ salary histories.

Lactation Break Rules

From January 1, 2022, in Minnesota, employers are not allowed to reduce employees’ pay during lactation breaks.

Employers in the state must also provide reasonable provisions for employees who have health conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.