On June 14, 2017, Delaware’s governor signed a measure enacting a pay history inquiry ban similar to those enacted recently in Massachusetts, New York City, Philadelphia, and Puerto Rico.
On April 6, 2017, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, seeking to block Philadelphia’s recently-enacted wage equity ordinance. The ordinance, which prohibits employers from inquiring about prospective employees’ wage histories, was set to go into effect on May 23, 2017.
On December 8, 2016, the Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed a citywide wage equity ordinance that, once signed, will prohibit employers from inquiring into applicants’ wage histories. Mayor Jim Kenny has already signaled his support for the bill, which is expected to take effect 120 days after its eventual signing.
On April 17, 2016, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3 (SB3), otherwise known as the Medical Marijuana Act, which legalizes the prescription and use of medical marijuana by persons with a “serious medical condition” in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Under Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act, only persons with a specified “serious medical condition” may be prescribed or use medical marijuana, and recreational use of marijuana remains prohibited. The act, which includes certain provisions specific to employers, will go into effect on May 17, 2016, leaving little time for employers to become familiar with the requirements set forth in this lengthy law.
On May 13, 2015, Philadelphia’s paid sick leave ordinance, formally entitled “Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces,” becomes effective. In addition to the key provisions of the ordinance requiring certain employers to provide employees with up to 40 hours of paid sick leave each calendar year, the ordinance requires employers to fulfill posting and notice requirements.
On February 12, 2015, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signed legislation requiring certain employers in the city of Philadelphia to provide up to five days of paid sick leave each calendar year to their employees. The ordinance, titled “Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces,” goes into effect on May 13, 2015.
