February 2012

Arizona Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, tax rates for employers with positive ratios range from 0.02% to 3.07%, the rates for employers with a zero ratio is 3.19%, and the rates for employers with negative ratios range from 3.37% to 6.38%. The Job Training Tax of 0.1% is in effect in 2012, and is applicable to all employers. There is also a Special Assessment of 0.5% in effect this year. New employers continue to pay 2.0%. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶3-1700.

California Pregnancy Leave
Pregnancy/childbirth leave provisions in the state’s Government Code have been amended, effective January 1, 2012 (Ch. 678 (A. 592) and Ch. 510 (S. 299), L. 2011). Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶5-20,025.45. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶5-7000.

California Same-Sex Marriage
The Ninth Circuit has upheld a federal district court ruling that California’s Proposition 8, which amended the state’s constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry, is unconstitutional (Perry v Brown, February 7, 2012, Reinhardt, S). The circuit court ruled that Proposition 8 violates the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶5-3100 and ¶5-3200.

California Unemployment Insurance
The 2012 elective coverage rate for employers and the self-employed for temporary disability purposes is 3.05%. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶5-1700.

Florida Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, the minimum rate is 2.02%, and the maximum rate is 5.4%, except that employers participating in the short-time compensation program will be subject to a maximum rate of 6.4%. New employers pay 2.7% in 2012. The noncharge ratio is .0057, the excess payment ratio is .0089, the gross benefit ratio is .0275, the multiplier is 1.1382, the fund size ratio is .0167, and the final adjustment ratio is .0313. There will also be a special tax assessment in effect for 2012 to assist in repaying the interest on the state’s Title XII loan. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶10-1700.

Georgia Garnishment Law
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed legislation on February 7 that reforms the way in which businesses can review and respond to garnishment requests. This law grants businesses the power to file garnishment requests through authorized personnel instead of having to hire legal counsel. Historically, human resources or payroll employees have processed garnishments for employees. Under a 2011 court decision, the state Supreme Court held that this routine task must be performed by lawyers. This legislation prevents an undue administrative burden on small businesses by eliminating the employment of lawyers to process garnishments and allowing them to be performed by authorized personnel instead. In addition, the bill increases the amount of attorney’s fees or expenses that a garnishee may deduct to $50 (increased from $25), or 10 percent of the amount paid into court, whichever is greater (not to exceed $100) (H. 683, L. 2011, effective February 7, 2012). Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶11-46,006a, ¶11-46,007a, ¶11-46,008, ¶11-46,009, ¶11-46,011, ¶11-46,012, ¶11-46,012a, ¶11-46,012b, ¶11-46,012c, ¶11-46,012d, ¶11-46,012e, ¶11-46,012f, ¶11-46,012k, ¶11-46,012l, ¶11-46,012m, ¶11-46,012nn, ¶11-46,013, ¶11-46,013b, ¶11-46,013c, ¶11-46,013d, ¶11-46,013e, ¶11-46,013f and ¶11-46,014. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶11-5600.

Hawaii Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, the temporary disability insurance maximum weekly wage base is $903.28, the maximum weekly employee deduction is $4.52, and the maximum weekly benefit amount is $524. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶12-1700.

Illinois Affirmative Action
The Illinois Human Rights Act has been amended with respect to the race and national origin categories to be included in affirmative action plans (P.A. 97-396 (H. 332), L. 2011, effective January 1, 2012). Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶14-20,026.05.

Illinois Health Insurance Benefit Coverage
Group insurers are required to provide coverage for outpatient self-management training and education, equipment and supplies for the treatment of diabetes. “Diabetes self-management training” now includes education programs, as defined by the contract of insurance, that allow the patient to maintain an A1c level within the range identified in nationally recognized standards of care (P.A. 97-281 (H. 2249), L. 2011, effective January 1, 2012). Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶14-4000.

Illinois Unemployment Insurance
For calendar year 2012, the adjusted state experience factor is 139%, and the benefit conversion factor remains at 138.4%. Total rates range from 0.550% to 9.450%, including the 0.550% fund building factor in effect for 2012. An employer whose contribution rate is 5.40% or higher and whose total quarterly wages are less than $50,000 pays contributions at 5.40% in that quarter. New employers pay 4.350% for 2012, which includes the 0.550% fund building factor. The Act dictates that employers pay 4.350% for 2012, which includes the 0.550% fund building factor. The Act dictates that employers pay higher entry rates if they are in a North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) sector that has an average tax rate above the standard entry rate. New construction sector employers pay 5.250% in 2012.

Effective January 1, 2012, the maximum weekly benefit amount in Illinois for an individual is $403, the maximum weekly benefit amount for an individual with a nonworking spouse is $480, and the maximum weekly benefit amount for an individual with a dependent child or children is $549. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶14-1700.

Indiana Labor Relations
Right-to-work legislation was enacted on February 1, 2012. Under the new law, a person cannot require an individual, as a condition of employment or continuation of employment, to: (1) become or remain a member of a labor organization; (2) pay dues, fees, or other charges to a labor organization; or (3) pay to a charity or another third party an amount that represents dues, fees, or other charges required of members of a labor organization. The law does not apply to federal employees, employees subject to certain federal laws, certain employees over whom the federal government has jurisdiction, state employees, and employees of a political subdivision. The law also does not apply to the extent it is in conflict with or preempted by federal law. This law would not impact any other law relating to collective bargaining or collective bargaining agreements in the building and construction industry. Violation of the law is a Class A misdemeanor (H. 1001, L. 2012, effective February 1, 2012). Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶15-63,013e through ¶15-63,013q.

Indiana Unemployment Insurance
Chrysler employees in Indiana who were on indefinite layoff, temporary layoff, or actively working when they accepted a buyout from the automobile manufacturer during the economic downturn in 2008 were entitled to unemployment benefits, the state’s supreme court ruled (Chrysler Group, LLC v Review Board of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, January 19, 2012, Shepard, R). Although Indiana’s unemployment compensation law required that an employer must intend the buyout offer to avert or lessen the effect of a layoff or plant closure, the employer did not have to make an explicit declaration in advance, the court stated, finding that it could be inferred from the nature and character of the employer’s collective conduct, statements, and circumstances. It could not, however, be inferred solely from the speculative and subjective beliefs of the employees. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶15-1700.

Iowa Unemployment Insurance
Iowa contribution rates will be determined under Rate Table 4 in 2012, and will range from 0.0% to 9.0%. New nonconstruction employers pay 1.5%, and new construction employers pay 9.0%. Employers that receive a 0.0% rate are still required to file timely reports. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶16-1700.

Kansas Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, the ratio of the fund balance to total payrolls is -0.020%, and the average required yield on taxable wages is 3.92%. Eligible positive-balance employers pay rates ranging from 0.11% to 5.40%. New employers pay 4.0%, except new construction employers pay 6.0%. Negative-balance employers pay rates ranging from 5.70% to 9.40%. Newly rated government employers pay 0.28% for 2012. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶17-1700.

Maine Unemployment Insurance
Contribution rates in Maine for 2012 are adjusted by 0.06% for the Competitive Skills Scholarship Fund (CSSF) rate that is now in effect. As adjusted, rates for 2012 range from 0.88% to 8.10%. New employers pay an adjusted rate of 3.14% for 2012. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶20-1700.

Maryland Unemployment Insurance
For calendar year 2012, rates are determined under Table F, and range from 2.2% to 13.5%. New employers pay 2.6% for 2012, except that new construction employers headquartered in another state pay 13.5%. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶21-1700.

Massachusetts Minimum Wage
The current living wage for Brookline is $12.43 per hour. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶22-1000.

Massachusetts Recordkeeping/Posters
The Brookline living wage poster has been updated. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶22-9900.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance
Beginning with the 2012 calendar year, the taxable wage limit increases from $9,000 to $9,500. If the balance in the Unemployment Compensation Fund at the beginning of a year equals or exceeds $2.5 billion, however, and the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) projects that the balance will remain at or above that level for the remainder of the quarter and the entire next quarter, the taxable wage limit for that quarter and the next quarter will be $9,000 for an employer that is not delinquent in the payment of unemployment contributions, penalties or interest. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶23-1700.

Missouri Recordkeeping/Posters
The St. Louis living wage posters (English and Spanish) have been updated. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶26-9900.

Missouri Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, the contribution rate of an experience-rated employer can range from 0.0% to 9.750%. For experience-rated employers that are participating in the workshare program, contribution rates can range from 0.0% to 13.650%. These rates reflect all surcharges imposed for 2012. The rate payable by new employers in 2012 is 3.51%, except for those employers in special industries. New construction employers will pay 5.043% in 2012. Note, however, the nonprofit contribution rate remains at 1.30% for 2012. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶26-1700.

Montana Unemployment Insurance
Schedule VII is in effect for calendar year 2012, and there is also a 0.18% Administrative Fund Tax (AFT) in effect for all Rate Classes. Total rates for positive-balance employers range from 1.00% to 2.80%. Total rates for negative- balance employers range from 4.30% to 6.30%. New employers that are rated by industry classification pay the following rates, which include the 0.18% Administrative Fund Tax, for 2012: agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing employers, 2.98%; construction employers, 4.28%; mining employers, 2.68%; finance, insurance and real estate employers, 1.88%; manufacturing employers, 3.08%; retail trade employers, 2.18%; services employers, 2.38%; utilities, transportation, and warehousing employers, 2.28%; wholesale trade employers, 2.08%; and unclassified employers, 4.28%. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶27-1700.

Nebraska Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, the combined tax rate for employers in categories 1 through 20 will range from 0.00% to 6.49%. The rate for nonconstruction new employers is 2.49% (category 12). For new construction employers, the rate is 6.49% (category 20). Also, the maximum weekly benefit amount in Nebraska for 2012 is $354. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶28-1700.

Nevada Unemployment Insurance
The Nevada regulation containing the schedule of contribution rates has been amended to update reserve ratios for each class for 2012. The range of rates remains 0.25% to 5.4%. The range of reserve ratios is 11.4% or more for Class 1, and less than -14.2% for Class 18. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶29-1700.

New Hampshire Health Insurance Benefit Coverage
The state has clarified the law regarding the cost of testing for bone marrow donation (Ch. 133 (H. 31), L. 2011, effective January 1, 2012). Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶30-4000.

New Hampshire Religious Discrimination
The state’s public employment discrimination law has been amended. No person may be appointed or promoted to, or demoted or dismissed from, any position in the classified service, or in any way favored or discriminated against with respect to employment in the classified service because of the person's religion or religious beliefs or affiliations. Additionally, there shall be no preferential treatment or discrimination in recruiting, hiring, or promotion based on religion or religious beliefs (Ch. 227 (H. 623), L. 2011, effective January 1, 2012). Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶30-20,027.01. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶30-2900.

New Hampshire Sexual Orientation Discrimination
The state’s public employment discrimination law has been amended to provide that there shall be no preferential treatment or discrimination in recruiting, hiring, or promotion based on sexual orientation (Ch. 227 (H. 623), L. 2011, effective January 1, 2012). Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶30-20,027.01. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶30-3100.

New Hampshire Unemployment Insurance
For the first and second quarters of 2012, a full 1.0% surcharge will continue to be added to all employers’ tax rates. Negative-rated employers (employers whose rates are assigned under Schedule II or III) will have 1.5% added to their tax rates in addition to the 1.0% surcharge. The new employer rate is 3.7%. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶30-1700.

New Jersey Health Insurance Benefit Coverage
Effective July 15, 2012, group health insurers and HMOs will be required to provide coverage for expenses for prescribed, orally administered anticancer medications used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis no less favorable than the coverage for intravenously administered or injected anticancer medications (Ch. 188 (S. 1834), L. 2010, enacted January 17, 2012).

Effective May 1, 2012, group health insurers and HMOs will be required to provide coverage for medical expenses incurred by a covered person for the treatment of sickle cell anemia and, if benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs are provided, then coverage shall be provided for the coverage for prescription drug expenses incurred by a covered person for the treatment of sickle cell anemia (Ch. 210 (A. 1120), L. 2010, enacted January 17, 2012). Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶31-4000.

New Jersey Violence in the Workplace
New Jersey law providing remedies for victims of domestic violence has been amended to provide that where a person is charged with a crime involving domestic violence, the court may issue an order prohibiting the defendant from having any contact with the victim, including, but not limited to, restraining the defendant from entering the victim’s residence, place of employment or business, or school, and from harassing or stalking the victim or the victim’s friends, coworkers, or relatives. The court may also enter an order prohibiting contact with a household pet. Further, the court may enter an order prohibiting the defendant from possessing any firearm or other weapon and issue an order for the search and seizure of any such weapon at any location where the judge has reasonable cause to believe the weapon is located. The court’s directives must be recorded in an order of the court, and a written copy of the order must be provided to the victim by the clerk of court or other person designated by the court (Ch. 213 (A. 1633), L. 2011, effective January 17, 2012). Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶31-3300.

New Mexico Minimum Wage
Effective March 1, 2012, the Santa Fe living wage will increase to $10.29 per hour. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶32-1000.

New York Background Checks
The state’s Mental Hygiene Law has been amended to create an abuse prevention notification system for employees and volunteers working with individuals with developmental disabilities, effective January 1, 2013 (Ch. 606 (A. 8330), L. 2011, enacted January 27, 2012). Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶33-23,621.01 and ¶33-23,621.03. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶33-9000.

North Carolina Unemployment Insurance
North Carolina contribution rates will continue to be determined under Rate Schedule A for calendar year 2012. Since the fund balance on the computation date was less than $163,349,000, the 20% State Reserve Tax also remains in effect. Under Schedule A, rates range from 0.0% to 3.24% for positive-balance employers, and from 3.48% to 6.84% for debit-balance employers. The standard rate is 1.2%.

Additionally, the state’s unemployment insurance law is now administered by the Division of Employment Security (DES) in the Department of Commerce. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶34-1700.

North Dakota Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, the minimum rate for positive-balance employers in North Dakota is .020%, and the maximum rate for positive-balance employers is 1.51%. The minimum rate for negative-balance employers is 6.27%, and the maximum rate for negative-balance employers is 9.91%. New positive-balance nonconstruction employers pay 1.36%, while new negative-balance nonconstruction employers pay 6.27%. All new construction employers pay 9.91%. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶35-1700.

Ohio Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, the maximum weekly benefit amount for an individual with no dependents is $400, the maximum weekly benefit amount for an individual with one or two dependents is $485, and the maximum weekly benefit amount for an individual with three or more dependents is $539. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶36-1700.

Oklahoma Smoking in the Workplace
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed Executive Order 2012-01 on February 6, 2012, to prohibit the use of tobacco products “on any and all properties owned, leased or contracted for use by the State of Oklahoma, including but not limited to all buildings, land and vehicles owned, leased or contracted for use by agencies or instrumentalities of the State of Oklahoma.” Government agencies must comply with the order no later than six months from February 6, 2012. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶37-2700.

Oregon Child Support Enforcement
Oregon’s child support law has been amended relating to limits on collection of child support obligations. When withholding is from a lump-sum payment or benefit, the amount subject to withholding for payment of a support obligation may not exceed one-half of the lump-sum payment or benefit amount. Also, when the withholding is for an arrearage only, the administrator is to set a lesser amount to be withheld if it is demonstrated that the withholding is prejudicial to the obligor’s ability to provide for a child or the child’s basic needs (Ch. 317 (S. 43), L. 2011, effective January 1, 2012). Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶38-5500.

Also, the law relating to medical support orders has been amended to clarify that a medical support clause may not order a providing party to pay cash medical support or to pay to provide health care coverage if the providing party's income is equal to or less than the Oregon minimum wage for full-time employment (Ch. 318 (S. 45), L. 2011, effective January 1, 2012). Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶38-5500.

Oregon Fair Employment Practices
The Oregon Fair Employment Practices Act has been amended with respect to enforcement and penalties (H. 2828 and H. 3207, L. 2011, effective January 1, 2012). Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶38-20,025.885.

Oregon Prevailing Wages
A rule relating to prevailing wage rate determination amendments, as determined by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries for the period beginning July 1, 2011, and October 1, 2011, has been amended. Rule 839-025-0700 was amended by Administrative Order No. BLI 10-2011, filed December 30, 2011, and certified effective on January 1, 2012. Full text, State Employment Law Library, ¶38-50,545.

Oregon Violence in the Workplace Law
Oregon law requires employers with six or more employees working 20 or more calendar workweeks in a year to provide eligible employees with reasonable leave to address domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking. Chapter 687 (H. 3482), L. 2011, added “harassment” to these protections. Summaries, State Employment Law Library, ¶38-3300.

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries has amended related rules to implement the 2011 legislative amendments by Ch. 687 (H. 3482), which added “harassment” to crime victims’ protections. Oregon Administrative Rules 839-009-0325 through 839-009-0365 were amended by Administrative Order No. BLI 14-2011, filed December 30, 2011, and effective January 1, 2012. Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶38-59,501, ¶38-59,502, ¶38-59,504, ¶38-59,505, ¶38-59,507, ¶38-59,508, ¶38-59,509 and ¶38-59,511. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶38-3300.

Oregon Wage Payment
A new rule has been added to implement the provisions of H. 2039, L. 2011, effective January 1, 2012, which amends Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 652 to authorize the Oregon Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries to assess civil penalties payable to employees equal to the damages provided for in Oregon Revised Statutes Section 30.701, relating to actions against makers of dishonored checks. Section 30.701 provides that when a person is issued a check for which there are insufficient funds, the person may recover statutory damages from the maker of the dishonored check in an amount equal to $100, or triple the amount for which the check is drawn, not to exceed $500 more than the value of the check. Rule 839-001-0300 was added by Administrative Order No. BLI 11-2011, filed December 30, 2011, and certified effective January 1, 2012. Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶38-46,503b.

In addition, a rule relating to payment of wage claims was amended. Oregon Revised Statutes Section 652.414 provides that the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may initiate action to recover from employers, or other persons liable for unpaid wages, amounts paid from the Wage Security Fund. In addition, the commissioner is also entitled to recover a penalty of 25 percent of the amount of wages paid from the Wage Security Fund or $200, whichever amount is greater. This rule amendment clarifies that in cases where multiple employees of an employer are paid from the Fund, the penalty of 25 percent of the amount of wages paid or $200, whichever is greater, is to be calculated based on the amount paid to each employee from the Wage Security Fund, rather than the total aggregated amount paid to the employees of the employer. Rule 839-001-0560, as amended by Administrative Order No. BLI 12-2011, filed December 30, 2011, and certified effective January 1, 2012. Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶38-46,520.

Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance
The temporary disability insurance taxable wage base for 2012 is $60,000. The 2011 amount was $58,400. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶41-1700.

South Dakota New Hire Reporting
Employers are now required to include the date of hire for each new employee submitted to the South Dakota New Hire Reporting Center, effective as of January 16, 2012, according to the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation and the Department of Social Services. The date of hire is considered to be the date an employee first performed services for pay. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 and South Dakota Codified Law 25-7A-3.3 require all public, private, non-profit and government employers to report all employees who are newly hired, rehired or who return to work after a separation of 30 or more days. This includes full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees, both adults and minors. Reports are due to the New Hire Reporting Center within 20 days of hire.

In addition to the date of hire, employers must submit the employee name, address and social security number and the employer business name, address and federal identification number. New Hire Reporting Center information is mainly used to match against child support records to locate parents and establish or enforce child support orders.

The date of hire information requirement was added by Section 802 of the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 (CRA; Pub. L. No. 111-291), signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 8, 2010 (42 USC 653a) (South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation News Release, January 9, 2012). Full text, State Employment Law Library ¶43-47,019. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶43-1600.

South Dakota Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, contribution rates range from 0.0% to 9.5%. The rate for employers who are not eligible for an experience rate is 1.2% for nonconstruction employers, and 6.0% for construction employers for the first year. In years two and three, rates are 1.0% and 3.0%, respectively. All contributing employers pay an investment fee. All new employers are subject to a 0.55% investment fee, and may be charged a surcharge. The investment fee rate for experience-rated employers depends on the employer’s reserve ratio. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶43-1700.

Tennessee Unemployment Insurance
Effective January 1, 2012, through June 30, 2012, Premium Rate Table 1 is in effect. Employer rates range from 0.5% to 4.5% for positive-balance employers, and from 5.0% to 10.0% for negative-balance employers. An additional 0.6% premium apples to all experienced-rated and new employers whose rates are based on industry-wide reserve ratios. Industry-based tax rates for new employers for the rate year beginning July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2012, are as follows: Construction, 8.6%; Manufacturing Sector 32, 6.6%; Manufacturing Sector 33, 9.1%; and Mining and Extraction, 6.6%. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶44-1700.

Utah Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, the reserve factor is 1.30. There is a social charge tax rate of 0.50%. Total rates for experience-rated employers for 2012 range from 0.5% to 9.5%, except that delinquent employers continue to pay an additional surcharge of 1.0%. Rates for new employers for 2012 depend on industry. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶46-1700.

Virginia Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, the fund balance factor is 50%. There is also a pool cost charge of 0.53%, and a fund building charge of 0.20%. For 2012, rates range from 0.83% to 6.93%, including the pool cost and the fund balance charge. The new employer rate for 2012 is 3.23%. In 2012, foreign contractors, delinquent and nonrated employers pay 6.93%. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶48-1700.

Washington Same-Sex Marriage
On February 13, 2012, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed historic legislation that makes Washington the seventh state in the nation to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Washington now joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York plus the District of Columbia in allowing same-sex marriages.
Gregoire’s signature on Senate Bill 6239 completes a state journey that began in 2006, when the governor signed legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and other areas. In 2007, Substitute Senate Bill 5336 created the state domestic partnership registry. Gregoire signed House Bill 3104 in 2008, which added additional rights and responsibilities relating to issues such as dissolutions, community property, estate planning, taxes, court process, conflicts of interest for public officials and guardianships. Legislation signed in 2009 requires state agencies to ensure that all privileges, immunities, rights, benefits, or responsibilities granted to married individuals are granted to an individual who is or was in a state registered domestic partnership (Gov. Chris Gregoire News Release, February 13, 2012).

Washington Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, contribution rates (including the graduated social cost rate) range from 0.14% to 5.82%. There is also an Employment Administration Fund (EAF) tax in effect for 2012, which brings the total rate range to 0.17% to 5.84%. Delinquent employer rates range from 0.95% to 7.85%. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶49-1700.

Wisconsin Minimum Wage
Effective through December 31, 2012, the living wage rate for Dane County is $10.75 per hour. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶51-1000.

Wisconsin Recordkeeping/Posters
The Dane County living wage poster has been updated. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶51-9900.

Wyoming Unemployment Insurance
For 2012, experience rated employers pay rates ranging from 0.65% to 10.0%. Note that any delinquent employer is assessed 2.0% plus the assignable basic rate, the total of which may not exceed 10.0%. For 2012, new employers pay the following rates by industry classification: raw materials and energy production, 1.80%; distribution and transportation of goods, 1.15%; information, 1.00%; finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing, 1.00%; professional and business services, 1.14%; education, health and social assistance, 1.00%; leisure, accommodation, and food services, 1.21%; other services (except public administration), 1.00%; public administration, 1.00%; unclassified employers, 2.62%; construction, 2.87%; and manufacturing, 1.67%. These figures do not include the adjustment factor of 0.246%, the employment support fund tax of 0.164%, and the fund balance adjustment factor of 1.09% for inefficiently and noncharged benefits. Summaries, State Employment Law Library ¶52-1700.