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Legislation

May 2026: Detailed Look at State and Local Updates

Timely, topical insights on a variety of HR, payroll, benefits and workforce management issues.

Check out our monthly series that focuses on timely, topical insights on various HR, payroll, benefits and workforce management issues at the state and local levels.

The highlighted states include Alabama, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, Oregon, Virginia and Washington.

It also provides a list of areas, states and/or localities' minimum wage announcements from California and the Virgin Islands.

The topics covered in this issue are:

State/Territory/District

  • Alabama Creates Tax Credit for Employers that Provide Paid Leave for Organ Donation

  • Maine Amends Workplace Drug-Testing Rules

  • Maine to Require Pay Disclosure in Job Postings

  • Maryland Bars Mandatory Employer Meetings on Political or Religious Matters

  • Maryland Prohibits Certain Supervisor-Employee Committees, Adds Penalties for Youth Labor Violations

  • Nebraska Enacts State WARN Act

  • Oregon Court Rules Wage Law Protections Extend to Employee Inquiries

  • Virginia Codifies and Announces Minimum Wage Increases

  • Virginia Expands Its Human Rights Act

  • Virginia Extends Child Labor Laws

  • Virginia Prohibits Salary History Inquiries and Requires Pay Transparency

  • Virginia Restricts Firearm Storage in Employer Lots

  • Virginia to Add Heat Illness Prevention Requirements

  • Washington State Enacts the Immigrant Worker Protection Act

Minimum Wage

  • Minimum Wage Announcements 4/21/26 – 5/20/26

Additionally, refer to the new monthly compliance calendar: June 2026 Employer Compliance Calendar: Key HR, Payroll, Benefits and Workforce Management Dates.

Download the May edition PDF.

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