As the grills fire up and vacation plans take shape, employers can’t afford to let compliance slide into the summer haze. July 1, 2025, marks a significant mid-year checkpoint for employment law updates across the U.S., with California leading the charge.
From local minimum wage hikes to new notice requirements and Federal Form updates, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and avoid costly missteps.
California Minimum Wage Increases (Effective July 1, 2025)
California’s patchwork of local wage ordinances continues to evolve. Employers operating in multiple jurisdictions must pay close attention to ensure they’re meeting the highest applicable wage. Below is a breakdown of the latest local minimum wage increases in California:
Local Minimum Wage Updates:
- Alameda: $17.46/hour
- Berkeley: $19.18/hour
- Emeryville: $19.90/hour
- Fremont: $17.75/hour
- Los Angeles City: $17.87/hour
- Los Angeles County (Unincorporated): $17.81/hour
- Malibu: $17.27/hour (frozen due to wildfire recovery)
- Milpitas: $18.20/hour
- Pasadena: $18.04/hour
- San Francisco: $19.18/hour
- Santa Monica: $17.81/hour
Industry-Specific Rates:
- Hotel Workers (LA & Santa Monica): $22.50/hour
- West Hollywood Hotel Workers: $20.22/hour
New CRD Notice Requirement
The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) will release a new required notice, referred to as Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims’ Right to Leave and Accommodations. A key requirement is that employers must distribute this notice:
- At hire.
- Annually.
- Upon request.
- When an employee discloses victim status.
For employers, it’s recommended to integrate this into onboarding, training, and HR documentation.
Federal Form I-9 Update
The USCIS has issued a revised Form I-9 (01/20/25 edition), valid through May 31,
2027. Updates include:
- Refreshed statutory language
- Updated DHS Privacy Notice
Note: Older versions remain valid until their expiration dates.
Key State-Level Changes Beyond California (Effective July 1, 2025)
If your workforce spans multiple states, here are some notable employment law updates:
Alabama:
- Paid parental leave for public employees.
- Overtime tax exemption ends.
Alaska:
- $13/hour minimum wage.
- Paid sick leave.
- Political/religious meeting bans.
Colorado:
- New biometric and consumer privacy laws.
- Tip credit changes.
District of Columbia:
- $17.95/hour minimum wage.
- $12/hour for tipped workers.
Florida:
- CHOICE Act may strengthen non-compete enforceability.
Georgia:
- Phasing out sub-minimum wages for disabled workers.
Idaho:
- Vaccine mandates are banned unless federally required.
Indiana:
- Unpaid leave for school meetings
Iowa:
- Gender identity has been removed as a protected class.
- Drug testing rules updated.
Kansas:
- Stronger non-solicitation agreement enforcement
Maryland:
- Non-competes are banned for healthcare workers under $350K.
New Hampshire:
- Lactation accommodations are required for employers with 6+ employees.
New Jersey:
- $20.50/hour minimum wage for Newark Liberty airport workers.
New Mexico:
- Whistleblower protections for healthcare workers.
New York:
- $20.50/hour minimum wage for JFK and LaGuardia airport workers.
Ohio:
- New Parents’ Bill of Rights for public schools.
Oregon:
- Consumer Privacy Act now includes non-profits.
Tennessee:
- Human rights enforcement shifts to the Attorney General.
- New privacy law
Vermont:
- Pay transparency.
- expanded leave.
- End of sub-minimum wages.
Virginia:
- Non-compete bans for all overtime-eligible employees.
Washington:
- Expanded Equal Pay Protections.
- Immigration coercion bans.
Wisconsin:
- Return-to-office mandates for state agencies.
Wyoming:
- Broad ban on non-compete agreements.
Stay Ahead of Employment Law Updates with Bizhaven
Mid-year is the perfect time to conduct a compliance audit, refresh your policies,
and ensure your HR practices are aligned with the latest employment law updates effective from July 1, 2025.
Bizhaven is ready to help you navigate these changes with confidence. Need help updating your policies or training materials? Let’s make sure your summer stays compliant and stress-free. Contact us today!
