Legislative Updates – June 1, 2021
By: Birch

 

Alabama

Vaccine Passport

On May 24, 2021, Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation AL S.B. 267 preventing the use of “Vaccine Passports.” In addition, state agencies, universities, and businesses are prohibited from requiring individuals to have received a vaccination in order to access facilities or services.

 

Alaska

City of Anchorage

On May 25, 2021, Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson announced that the City’s COVID-19 pandemic emergency was ended.

 

Arizona

City of Flagstaff

On May 25, 2021, Mayor Paul Deasy announced that the City’s facemask proclamation was terminated.

 

Arizona

Coconino County

On May 25, 2021, the Board of Supervisors voted to terminate the County’s mask requirement effective June 1, 2021.

City of Glendale

On May 25, 2021, the City Council voted to prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ community by employers, housing and public places.

 

California

City of San Francisco

On May 25, 2021, the Board of Supervisors voted to extend the City’s moratorium on residential evictions for an additional three months.

Disneyland

Effective June 15, 2021, the park will be open to out-of-state visitors

App-Based Drivers

Effective July 1, 2021, app-based drivers are required to complete safety training in order to continue providing delivery and rideshare services, under CA Proposition 22.

Los Angeles County

Effective July 1, 2021, the County’s minimum wage is raised to $15.00 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees who perform at least two hours of work in the County in a particular week and who are not exempt from the state minimum wage.

 

Colorado

Medicaid

On May 27, 2021 Governor Polis extended an executive order temporarily suspending statutes to maintain eligibility for Medicaid and Children’s Basic Health Plan enrollees, increasing the Medicaid home health workforce, and eliminating cost sharing for COVID-19 testing and treatment.

Unemployment Benefits

On May 27, 2021, Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order expediting unemployment insurance claim processing to provide relief to Coloradans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Safety Precautions

On May 31, 2021, Gov. Jared Polis amended his COVID-19 public health order allowing for indoor and outdoor gatherings without capacity limits.

 

Connecticut

Gaming & Wagering

On May 27, 2021, Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation that legalizes online gaming and sports wagering in the state.

 

Georgia

Vaccine Passport

On May 25, 2021, Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order prohibiting state agencies, state service providers, and state properties from requiring COVID-19 vaccine passports.

City of Atlanta

On May 27, 2021, the City transitioned to Phase 3 of its COVID-19 reopening plan.

 

Hawaii

Safety Precautions

On May 25, 2021, Gov. David Ige amended the State’s emergency proclamation ending the outdoor mask requirement.

 

Idaho

Safety Precautions
On May 27, 2021, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin signed an executive order prohibiting mask mandates issued by the state or its “political subdivisions.” The executive order was rescinded by Gov. Brad Little on May 28, 2021.

 

Iowa

City of Ames

On May 25, 2021, the City Council passed an ordinance rescinding the City’s mask ordinance.

 

Kansas

Wyandotte County

On May 28, 2021, the County’s mask mandate expired. Businesses however, are able to require a facial mask in its establishment.

 

Kentucky

Business Operations

On May 28, 2021, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that all events and businesses with 1,000 or fewer people present can increase to 75% capacity. Indoor and outdoor events with more than 1,000 people can be held at 60% capacity.

 

 

Louisiana

Safety Precautions

On May 25, 2021, Gov. John Bel Edwards issued an executive order for a new COVID-19 emergency order ending all remaining business capacity restrictions and the vast majority of masking requirements.

 

Maryland

Prince George’s County

On May 26, 2021, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced that the County’s indoor mask mandate was terminated.

Montgomery County

On May 27, 2021, Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles announced that 50% of residents received a COVID-19 vaccine allowing the county to transition to Phase 3 of the State’s reopening plan.

 

Massachusetts

Business Operations

On May 25, 2021, Gov. Charlie Baker announced legislation that grants municipalities authority to extend special permits for restaurants offering outdoor dining issued under the State of Emergency through November 29, 2021.

Safety Precautions

On May 28, 2021, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the State’s pandemic state-of-emergency will terminate on June 15, 2021.

 

Michigan

Ottawa County

On May 25, 2021, the County Commissioners voted to end its COVID-19 state of emergency declaration.

 

Minnesota

City of Duluth

On May 24, 2021, the City Council voted to rescind its mask mandate aligning with CDC guidelines.

City of Minneapolis

On May 26, 2021, the City Council passed an ordinance requiring that renters must be given at least fourteen days-notice before an eviction notice can proceed if non-payment of rent is the reason for the eviction.

 

Montana

Discrimination

Effective immediately, an individual cannot be discriminated against due to their vaccination status or if they have/don’t have an immunity passport. MT H.B 702.

Effective July 1, 2021, an employee can be disqualified from unemployment benefits or workers compensation if they are terminated for failing a drug test or refusal to take one. MT H.B. 655

 

Nebraska

City of Omaha

On May 24, 2021, the City Council voted to end its mask mandate.

 

New Hampshire

Wage & Hour Recordkeeping

Effective June 22, 2021, the State amends its wage and hour record keeping statute to permit required records to be made, signed, acknowledged, approved and retained electronically. NH H.B. 258.

 

New Hampshire

Safety Precautions

On May 28, 2021, Gov. Chris Sununu extended the state-of-emergency for an additional 14 days.

City of Concord

In May 26, 2021, the City Council voted to allow the City’s mask mandate to expire on June 1, 2021.

 

New Mexico

City of Santa Fe

On May 25, 2021, the City announced that its mask mandate will be rescinded aligning with CDC guidelines.

City of Albuquerque

Effective August 1, 2021, the Clean and Green Retail Ordinance prohibiting single-use plastic bags takes place.

 

New York

Safety Precautions

On May 27, 2021, the State Department of Labor issued guidance to all employers that any necessary recovery period from the COVID-19 vaccine is covered under the State’s Paid Sick Leave Law.

Minimum Wage

Effective July 1, 2021, the State’s minimum wage for fast food workers is raised to $15.00 per hour.

 

Oregon

Electric Vehicles

On May 26, 2021, Governor Kate Brown signed House Bill 2165, legislation introduced by the Governor’s Office to expand access to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, particularly to people with low incomes and people of color.

Safety Precautions

On May 25, 2021Gov. Kate Brown announced updates to county risk levels under the state’s public health framework. Effective through June 3, 2021 there will be 15 counties in the High- Risk level, three at Moderate Risk, and 18 at Lower Risk, including Multnomah County, which has reached a 65% adult vaccination rate and whose equity plan has been approved. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here .

Lincoln County

On May 24, 2021, the Board of Commissioners extended its moratorium on new short-term rental licenses.

 

Pennsylvania

Unemployment Benefits

On May 24, 2021, acting Labor and Industry secretary, Jennifer Berrier, announced that effective July 18, 2021, the Commonwealth would resume its work search requirements for those claiming jobless benefits.

Safety Precautions

On May 27, 2021 Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam announced that the Commonwealth’s mask order will be ended by June 28, 2021.

Donor Leave

Effective June 28, 2021, the Living Donor Protection Act requires employers subject to FMLA to provide an eligible employee with the same leave to which they are entitled under the FMLA for preparation and recovery needed for surgery related to organ or tissue donation by or for the eligible employee or the eligible employee’s spouse, child or parent. PA H.B. 203

 

South Dakota

Meade County

On May 25, 2021, the County Commission approved a temporary ordinance providing for one dispensary license.

 

Washington

Jefferson County

On May 20, 2021, Public Health Officer Tom Locke announced that individuals are still required to wear a mask when in an indoor public space.

 

Washington D.C.

Minimum Wage

Effective July 1, 2021, the District’s minimum wage is raised to $15.20 per hour from $15.00 per hour. Tipped minimum wage increases from $5.00 to $5.05.

 

Wisconsin

Waukesha County

On May 25, 2021, the Board of Supervisors voted to terminate the County’s state-of-emergency declaration.

Lincoln County

On May 27, 2021, the County Board of Supervisors extended its emergency order until July 21, 2021.