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States Target School Cell Phone Use At least four states have banned or severely restricted the use of smart phones in schools in the current legislative biennium. Florida became the first state to do...
Compounded Weight-Loss Drugs Creating Headaches for State Regulators With popular weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy in short supply, many doctors, pharmacies and other providers have...
In their seminal book on the American health care system, legendary investigative reporters Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele offered a disturbing metaphor for the illogical nature of medical pricing...
PA Lawmakers Pass Bill Regulating PBMs The Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill ( HB 1993 ) aimed at increasing oversight of pharmacy benefit managers. If signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), the measure...
In a sign of the times, states have begun pursuing bills that require disclosure of the use of artificial intelligence. In March, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed SB 149 , making the state the first...
One of the most significant provisions in Gov. Tony Evers’ (D) proposed 2023-25 budget is a new family and medical leave program. Under that program both public and private employees who already qualify for the federal Family and Medical Leave program would be eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. The program, which would take effect in 2025, would be funded through payroll tax contributions from employees and employers, as well as a one-time $243.4 million infusion from the state’s budget surplus. (WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO)
On an 80-12 party-line vote, Arkansas’ House passed a bill (HB 1006) that would require companies that cover the travel and medical expenses of employees who obtain abortions out of state to also provide 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R), the measure’s sponsor said it was motivated by the “blatant hypocrisy” of companies that pay for their workers’ abortions but don’t offer maternity leave. (ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE)
Maryland lawmakers will consider legislation (HB 181/SB 197) this session that would establish a pilot program for shifting to a four-day workweek. The program would provide $750,000 a year in tax credits for five years to Maryland businesses that agreed to cut their hours and report their findings to the state. Del. Vaughn Stewart (D), one of the cosponsors of the legislation, said it was “really a larger conversation about where we are as a country, and whether we need to ask ourselves, for the first time in almost a century, if there is something better than living to work.” (ATLANTIC, STATE NET)
The U.S. Department of Labor announced last week that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration planned to withdraw its proposal to reconsider and revoke final approval of Arizona’s occupational safety and health plan. The decision means the state’s OSHA plan will remain in place. (INSURANCE JOURNAL)
Minnesota passed legislation (HB 37) amending the Minnesota Human Rights Act to protect individuals from discrimination based on “traits associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locs and twists." At least 19 other states have enacted versions of the CROWN Act, which stands for "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair." (SHRM, STATE NET)
Los Angeles adopted a fair workweek ordinance that will impose new scheduling and recordkeeping requirements on retail businesses with at least 300 employees worldwide. Other jurisdictions that have adopted fair workweek legislation include San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York. (SHRM)
New York-based Tesla employees have initiated an effort to form a union with Workers United Upstate New York. If formed the union would be the company’s first. (CNBC)
—Compiled by KOREY CLARK