What’s New in Workplace Law with ASHRM
What’s New in Workplace Law with ASHRM
By Melissa Menkel McGuire
Welcome to ASHRM’s Government Affairs Updates! As HR professionals, staying informed about the ever-evolving legal landscape is crucial to ensuring compliance and safeguarding your organization. Whether it's national policy shifts or state-specific regulations, we're here to equip you with the insights you need to navigate these changes with confidence.
What’s New in Our State
Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)
On October 18, 2024, the Maryland Department of Labor released proposed regulations for the FAMLI law. At present, the State Plan payroll contribution period begins July 1, 2025, and benefits to employees will become available on July 1, 2026. Click HERE to check out this LinkedIn post for more insights from the MD SHRM State Council.
Anne Arundel County Significantly Expands its Anti-Discrimination Law
On April 15, 2024, the Anne Arundel County Council passed a comprehensive anti-discrimination bill that, among other things, covers private employers and public accommodations. The bill was an amendment to an existing law prohibiting housing discrimination. Now passed into law, this provides a mechanism for filing and investigating complaints of discrimination. It also expands the authority of the Anne Arundel County Human Rights Commission (AAHRC), the scope of prohibited activities under the discrimination law, and the categories of protected characteristics. This provides another avenue of relief for individuals in Anne Arundel County who believe that they have experienced employment discrimination. Read more about this new law in an article written by ASHRM’s Director of Government Affairs, Melissa Menkel McGuire, HERE.
Spotlight on National Developments
The FTC’s Noncompete Rule Nationwide
On August 30, 2024, a federal judge in Texas issued a nationwide injunction blocking the FTC’s final rule prohibiting employee non-competition and some non-solicitation agreements. On August 12, 2024, SHRM filed a brief in support of the national injunction. The FTC has appealed the court’s decision, but it is likely that the appeal will be withdrawn after the Trump administration takes over in January 2025. Employers should be very careful, however, as several states, including Maryland, have laws restricting or prohibiting non-competes.
This information is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal advice to any person, entity or firm. The material included is obtained from a variety of sources. Portions of the content of this publication may contain Attorney Advertising under the rules of some states. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future.
Government Affairs, Anne Arundel County SHRM Chapter
Melissa Menkel McGuire, Partner at Gordon Feinblatt LLC
