What employers should know about key developments this week:
State and Local Laws: Rhode Island was the first state to pass a law requiring workplace protections for employees experiencing menopause, and Illinois and Philadelphia now have laws that take effect January 1, 2027. The Illinois law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for impacted employees.
Vetoes in California and Virginia: California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed menopause-related legislation three times, saying he supported protecting workers from bias tied to menopause but feared the legislation would increase litigation risk. He also noted that existing state civil rights law already covers menopausal conditions. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger vetoed a menopause-related bill in May 2026.
Federal Proposal: Existing federal laws do not recognize menopause as a distinct protected category, so employees have relied on overlapping protections based on sex, age, or disability. The Menopausal… Read the complete article here...
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