The Governor Has Acted!

April 14, 2026

To comply with the deadlines set in the Constitution, the Governor has acted to sign, amend or veto the bills before her.  Here are some highlights that are important to us:

• She signed the Minimum Wage Bill (HB1 & SB1); PBSF’s ability to teach the Autism Competencies (HB 469); Criminal Hx Checks for applicants for LCSW (HB577); revision of regulations about managing medical emergencies (HB1370); deferred disposition in criminal cases for persons with autism or DD (HB247 & SB416)
• She proposed amendments for HB246 (affirmative defense or reduced penalty for persons with mental illness or neurocognitive disorders) and HB627 (covenants not to compete including health care professionals) both of which seem fine.
• She also proposed minor amendments to the bills (HB5 & SB 199 which require “one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked;”  with the exception of “Relief,” “PRN,” or “as-needed” staff for any staff employed by an agency licensed by DBHDS  (our request which survived through the entire process!)  The amendments clarify the basic increments of using leave (the minimum increment shall be no greater than 4 hours).  The effective date is July 1, 2027.
• There are also proposed amendments to the Paid Family Medical Leave Act (HB1207; SB2) which will not be in effect in the Spring of 2028.  We will defer details for the moment.
• She also proposed amendments to HB1263 and SB378 (Collective Bargaining for Public Employees) which maintain the concept, but are fairly significant.  Importantly, the Governor proposes implementation for “local public employees” to be delayed until January 1, 2030.  There is already some grumbling about the scope of the amendments by some members!  While this does not impact us directly; it certainly will swirl around us in many ways! 

There are others – but this is a good list for the moment!