Hunton Employment & Labor Perspectives

Two new California employment laws, taking effect over the next two years, will expand on existing workplace laws prohibiting hate speech and providing added protections for employees who request bereavement leave.

Maryland has amended its parental leave law to clarify that, effective October 1, 2025, employers covered by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) are exempt from the Maryland Parental Leave Act (“MPLA”).

Effective January 1, 2020, organ donors in California are entitled to an additional 30 business days of unpaid leave.  AB 1223 extends the maximum leave time available to employees who participate in an organ donation program.  This law applies to private employers with 15 or more employees.