October 2016
None
September 2016
None
August 2016
None
July 2016
None
June 2016
June 6 – Gov. Shumlin signed a law providing for restrictions on the disclosure of protected health information.
On June 6, 2016, Gov. Shumlin signed a law that governs the disclosure of protected health information. The new law provides the same protections as the federal Health Insurance Protability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The law has the effect of creating a state cause of action in addition to the federal cause of action available to affected parties.
The law goes into effect on October 1, 2016.
For more information, read Vermont Senate Bill 155.
May 2016
May 23 – Governor Shumlin signed a law extending National Guard and Reserve Members employment protections
On May 23, 2016, Governor Shumlin signed a law extending the state’s employment protections for National Guard and Reserve Members to employees who work in the state who are members of the National Guard of another state.
The law is effective July 1, 2016.
For more information, read Vermont House Bill 805.
May 15 – Governor Shumlin signed a law extending the state’s workplace smoking law to electronic cigarettes
On May 15, 2016, Governor Shumlin signed a law making it unlawful to smoke electronic cigarettes in the workplace, consistent with the prohibition on smoking tradition cigarettes.
The law is effective July 1, 2016.
For more information, read Vermont House Bill 171.
May 3 – Governor Shumlin signed a “ban the box” law
May 3, 2016, Governor Shumlin signed a “ban the box” law which prohibits employers from inquiring about applicants’ criminal histories on job applications. Employers may ask about criminal history in interviews or once applicants have been deemed otherwise qualified for jobs.
The law takes effect on July 1, 2017
For more information, read Vermont House Bill 261.
April 2016
None
March 2016
March 9 – Gov. Shumlin signs a law requiring businesses to provide employees with paid sick leave
On March 9, 2016, Gov. Shumlin signed a law that will require businesses to provide employees with paid sick leave starting January 1, 2017. The law will require businesses to give employees a minimum of 1 hour of leave for every 52 hours worked. Between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018, business will be able to cap the amount of sick leave employees accrue to 24 hours per year. After December 31, 2018, the cap increases to 40 hours per year. Other requirements and restrictions apply.
The effective date for this law is January 1, 2017.
For more information, please read Vermont House Bill 187
February 2016
None
January 2016
None
