Proposed Family Leave Plan in WI, Maternity Leave Bill in AR, MD’s Proposed Four-Day Workweek Experiment & More

WI Gov’s Proposed Budget Includes Family Leave Plan

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)

AR House Passes Maternity Leave Bill

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)

MD Lawmakers to Weigh Four-Day Workweek Experiment

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)

Labor Department Withdraws Proposed Revocation of AZ OSHA Plan

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)

MN Passes CROWN Act

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)

LA Approves Fair Workweek Ordinance

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)

NY Tesla Employees Look to Unionize

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