On August 20, 2021, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Illinois House Bill 3582, which takes effect on January 1, 2022 and amends the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) in several ways. ...more
In the spirit of the season—and keeping some semblance of normal—we are using our annual "12 days of the holidays" blog series to address new California laws and their impact on California employers. On this ninth day of the...more
The past four years have been challenging for immigrants in the United States. President Trump has made “strong borders” a cornerstone of his administration. Among the well documented and inhumane consequences of his...more
Sexual assault is among the most heinous of crimes. It puts the lives of those on the receiving end at unimaginable risk. As the “Me Too” movement has shown, there are a plethora of perpetrators out there taking advantage of...more
The issue in the published trial court decision, S.C. v. J.D., reviewed what is a “household member” under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (“PDVA”) pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 to -35. The plaintiff, “Samantha”,...more
It is the public policy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to protect citizens from the devastating impact of domestic violence. General Laws c. 209A provides “a statutory mechanism by which victims of family or household...more
Recently, Governor Wolf signed a bill into law giving spousal abuse victims in Pennsylvania additional rights when pursuing a divorce. This law will become effective in the middle of June 2016. It has been said that, “this...more
On June 17, 2015, the New York State Legislature passed legislation governing how colleges and universities address sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. The governor is expected to sign it...more
On August 8, 2014, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a far-reaching Act designed to combat the problems of domestic violence. Notably, the Act became effective immediately upon the Governor signing it into...more
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law An Act Relative to Domestic Violence on August 8, 2014.This far-reaching law, which institutes reforms throughout the criminal justice system, mandates that all public and...more
On August 8, 2014, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed sweeping new legislation in the area of domestic violence—M.G.L. c. 260 entitled “An Act relative to domestic violence.” The new law is effective immediately and...more
On August 8, 2014, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a bill relating to domestic violence. Among other provisions, the law creates a new category of job-protected leave for employees. Massachusetts employers with 50 or...more
Since 2008, the District of Columbia's Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act ("ASSLA") has required D.C. employers to provide employees with paid leave (i) to care for themselves or their family members, and (ii) for work absences...more
Existing laws prohibit an employer from discharging, discriminating, or retaliating against an employee who is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault for taking time off from work in connection with court proceedings...more
California Governor Jerry Brown recently signed into law Senate Bill No. 400 (SB 400), which expands the state's current employment discrimination protections to victims of stalking. Effective January 1, 2014, SB 400 amends...more
Victims of domestic violence often keep their secrets hidden from the workplace until they need leave to go to court, or don’t show up for work one day due to physical or psychological harm caused by a spouse or loved one....more
California Governor Jerry Brown has recently signed into law numerous bills that will impact California employers. The most notable new California statutes, and one new San Francisco Ordinance, are summarized below. All...more
On October 1, 2013, the “New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act” (NJ SAFE Act) becomes effective. This law provides new leave rights to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and creates additional notice...more
On October 1, 2013, the New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act (SAFE Act) will take effect, requiring employers to provide unpaid leave to employees affected by domestic or sexual violence. For more on the...more
On July 17, 2013, Governor Chris Christie signed into law the New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act (NJ SAFE Act), which provides eligible employees with unpaid time off to attend to a variety of matters related...more
On October 1, 2013, the New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act (S-2177) ("SAFE Act") will go into effect, providing unpaid job-protected leave for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault....more
New Jersey and New York have joined a growing trend of states that have recently passed or are seeking to pass laws affording greater protections for victims of domestic violence....more
On July 17, 2013, Governor Chris Christie signed the New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act (the “SAFE Act”) into law. The SAFE Act makes New Jersey amongst a handful of states to now provide unpaid leave for...more
On July 17, 2013, Governor Chris Christie signed into law the New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act (NJ SAFE Act). New Jersey joins 15 states, the District of Columbia, and a handful of local governments in...more
On July 17, 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed S-2177 – the New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act ("NJ SAFE Act") – to require that employers provide unpaid leave to employees affected by domestic or...more