Are You Ready for May 11, 2010? New Laws Affecting Utah Employers.
The 2010 legislative sessions saw a lot of activity affecting employers and employees. Approximately fifty newly enacted laws will have some affect on employers and employees. With only two or three exceptions, all of these laws become effective May 11, 2010. (For a complete list of all the bills passed and their effective dates click here.)
A number of bills passed that added new elements to employee drug testing and background checking policies:
- H.B. 23, Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing
- H.B. 37, Criminal Background Checks on Motor Vehicle Dealers and Salespersons
- H.B. 81S01, School Employee Criminal Background Check
- H.B. 106S01, Expedited Background Checks for Human Services Providers
- S.B. 13, State Construction Contracts and Drug and Alcohol Testing
A number of laws relate to immigration issues:
There were amendment to the statutes governing unemployment:
- H.B. 18, Unemployment Insurance Amendments
- H.B. 43, Unemployment Compensation Amendments
- S.B. 181, Employment Security Administration Fund Repealer
There were amendments to the statutes governing workers’ compensation:
- H.B.188, Workers Compensation Benefits – Social Security Offset
- S.B. 231, Medical Benefits Under Workers’ Compensation
Several pieces of legislation related to health insurance, underprivileged individuals, and individuals with disabilities:
- H.B. 17, Amendments to Programs for People with Disabilities
- H.B. 20S01, Amendments to Health Insurance Coverage in State Contracts
- H.B. 51, Family Employment Program – Cash Assistance to Single Minor Parent
A number of bills passed that modified and changed the licensing requirements for different professionals.
- H.B. 11, Licensing of Elevator Contractors and Elevator Mechanics
- H.B. 28, Controlled Substance Database Amendments
- H.B. 41, Constables Amendments
- H.B. 73, Utah Construction Trades Continuing Education Amendments
- H.B. 89, License for Controlled Substances Amendments
- H.B. 176, Continuing Education Requirements for Electricians and Plumbers
- H.B. 187S01, Peace Officer Standards and Training Amendments
- H.B. 193, Occupations and Professions Amendments
- H.B. 226, Well Driller’s License – Pump Installation
- H.B. 232, Medical Language Interpreter Amendments
- H.B. 257, Dietitian Certification Act Amendments
- H.B. 275S01, Division of Real Estate Amendments
- H.B. 285, Practice of Veterinary Medicine
- H.B. 320S02, Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act – Alarm Companies Amendments
- H.B. 341, Uniform Athlete Agents Act
- H.B. 379, Barber, Cosmetologist/Barber, Esthetician, Electrologist, and Nail Technician Licensing Act Amendments
- H.B. 396S01, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Act Amendments
- S.B. 21, Amendments to Social Worker Licensing
- S.B. 85, Utah Construction Trade Licensing Act Amendments
- S.B 88S05, Pharmacy Practice Act Amendments
- S.B. 90S02, Mental Health Professional Practice Act Amendments
- S.B. 139, Physician Assistant Amendments
There were several significant bills that affected public employees benefits.
- H.B. 20S01, Amendments to Health Insurance Coverage in State Contracts
- H.B. 27, Per Diem and Travel Expense Modifications
- H.B. 42S01, School District Employees – Career Status Requirements
- H.B.215, Amendments to Public Employees’ Benefit and Insurance Program Act – Risk Pools
- H.B. 233, Retirement Office Amendments
- H.B. 246, Retirement Benefits for Charter School Employees
- S.B. 43S03, Post-Retirement Employment Amendments
- S.B. 63S03, New Public Employees’ Tier II Contributory Retirement Act
- S.B. 171, Higher Education Retirement Amendments
- S.B. 240S01, Retirement Participation Amendment
There were also statutes that applied generally to public entities: