Massachusetts Equal Pay Act (Video)

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS recently issued temporary regulations that provide an immediately effective framework for establishing and administering “Trump Accounts,” including broad automatic enrollment and large-scale contributions funded by governmental and charitable donors. The regulations became effective September 30, 2026, apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and expire September 30, 2029.

The IRS has released Revenue Procedure 2026-24, establishing new inflation-adjusted limits for Health Savings Accounts and high-deductible health plans effective in 2027. These updates include increased contribution limits, higher minimum deductibles, and expanded out-of-pocket maximums, along with new provisions for direct primary care service arrangements under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. How will these changes impact employee benefit planning and healthcare coverage strategies?

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Allegheny County Council passed legislation requiring employers with at least 15 workers to provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave, ending months-long debate on the proposal. We previously reported on the initial 18-week proposal in May 2026 (summarized here), the revised proposed legislation (summarized here), and the Allegheny County Board of Health passing the legislation (summarized here). The measure was passed in an 11-4 vote. It will become effective in one year, as County Executive Sara Innamorato signed the bill on, October 22, 2026.

The Trump Administration has launched an unprecedented enforcement action suspending permanent labor certification processing for eight major employers, linking immigration sponsorship to layoff histories and recruitment practices. This development signals a fundamental shift in how the government evaluates employer access to H-1B and green card programs, with investigations already underway and subpoenas served.

Maryland employers must comply with new posting requirements under the Worker Freedom Act, which prohibits penalizing employees who decline attendance at employer-sponsored meetings on religious or political matters. The Maryland Department of Labor has released official notices in English and Spanish that must be displayed prominently in workplaces and provided to new hires starting November 1, 2026.

On March 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a notice in the Federal Register seeking to restructure the calculation used to issue prevailing wages for employers seeking to hire temporary foreign employees...

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule that will shift the H-1B cap registration selection process from a random lottery to a weighted selection process...

OSHA's revised Hazard Communication Standard requires covered employers to update chemical labels, written hazard communication programs, and employee training by November 20, 2026. The revisions align with the UN's Globally Harmonized System and introduce new hazard classifications, downstream use considerations, and updated requirements for compressed gases and aerosols. Employers must navigate separate compliance timelines for chemical mixtures while ensuring their workplace practices meet the updated st

Donald Dowling says abusive labor practices are a huge problem around the world, and often the smaller local manufacturers, miners and growers within countries that are committing labor...

Illinois employers face new requirements for Equal Pay Registration Certificate submissions as the state Department of Labor eliminates the "prefers not to identify" option for employee demographic data. Starting January 1, 2027, businesses must report definitive sex and race information for all employees, raising questions about data collection methods and compliance strategies.

On June 8, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (the “Court”) vacated the $100,000 fee applicable to H-1B visa applications...

The first half of 2026 was an important year for the Massachusetts adult-use and medical cannabis industry, with significant developments on multiple fronts.

As immigration policy changes continue, the U.S. Department of State's announcement of a pause on immigrant visa issuance starting January 21, 2026 for nationals from 75 countries has raised questions.

On July 9, 2026, Governor Healey signed legislation making sweeping amendments to the Massachusetts Zoning Act (G.L. c. 40A).

Effective August 1, 2025, Massachusetts residential landlords and brokers can no longer mandate that residential tenants pay broker fees – rather, the cost must be borne solely by the party...

Navigating the increasing changes to U.S. immigration policy and practices has become an exercise in agility for U.S. employers, particularly HR leaders responsible for overseeing U.S. work authorization...

On October 29, 2025, a significant aspect of Massachusetts' pay transparency law will take effect, requiring employers in the Commonwealth to provide compensation information...

A Massachusetts Appeals Court decision reveals how the procedural path chosen to challenge zoning restrictions can determine whether courts defer to municipal interpretations. The case examines whether seeking declaratory relief under G.L. c. 240, § 14A versus following traditional administrative appeals through the Zoning Board of Appeals affects judicial deference in disputed zoning interpretations.

On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a Proclamation (the Proclamation) changing the H-1B visa program. The Proclamation is accessible here.

On April 27, 2023, Phil Olsen‘s article, "Massachusetts State and Local Tax Update – First Quarter 2023," was published in Bloomberg Tax.