Rhode Island Legislature Passes Consumer Data Privacy Act

by David Stauss, Husch Blackwell LLP - JD Supra

Keypoint: While the act does not include many provisions found in the more recent consumer data privacy laws, it would expand privacy notice obligations in one significant way although the applicability and scope of that requirement is unclear due to the lack of an important definition.

On June 13, 2024, the Rhode Island legislature passed the Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act (SB 2500 / HB 7787). The act will now move to Governor Daniel McKee for consideration. Assuming the act becomes laws, it will go into effect on January 1, 2026.

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/rhode-island-legislature-passes-2761107/

Construction Workers in New Jersey Public Schools Need Background Checks, Lawmakers Say

by Shore News Network

TRENTON, NJ — New legislation introduced in New Jersey aims to fortify the safety protocols surrounding construction and public works activities in school environments. The bill, which revises existing requirements for criminal history record checks, mandates that all workers involved in school construction or public works must demonstrate clean criminal records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation or State Bureau of Identification before commencing work.

Read more: https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2024/06/09/construction-workers-in-new-jersey-public-schools-need-background-checks-lawmakers-say/

Hong Kong to allow employers to check self-employed tutors, coaches for record of sexual offences before hiring

by Sammy Heung - SCMP

Hong Kong employers will be able to check whether self-employed tutors and coaches have been convicted of any sexual offences before they are hired, under a voluntary government scheme in the fourth quarter of this year.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Tuesday the change to the Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme will enhance the protection of children and the mentally disabled.

Read more: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3265390/hong-kong-allow-employers-check-self-employed-tutors-coaches-record-sexual-offences-hiring?campaign=3265390&module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article

UPDATE: New Hampshire Senate Passes Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Bill

by Tony Lange - Cannabis Business Times

UPDATE: On May 30, the New Hampshire House voted, 252-117, against concurring with the Senate's amended version of House Bill 1633, and then the body voted, 261-108, to nonconcur and form a conference committee for the adult-use legalization legislation in an effort to resolve differences between the two chambers. 

New Hampshire is on the verge of becoming the 25th state in the U.S. to legalize adult-use cannabis and the first to do so in 2024.

This potential halfway benchmark for the 50-state nation comes as the New Hampshire Senate voted, 14-10, on May 23 to approve an amended version of House Bill 1633.

Read more: https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/news/new-hampshire-senate-passed-recreational-marijuana-bill-franchise/

New Jersey Considers Restricting Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process

by Fox Rothschild LLP, Brian Frederick, Kenneth Rosenberg - JD Supra

As employers have increasingly used artificial intelligence (AI) and other Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDTs) to assist human resource professionals and hiring managers in reviewing voluminous resumes, federal and state governmental authorities have become concerned that these tools are disproportionately screening out female and minority applicants.

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-jersey-considers-restricting-use-of-3885587/?origin=CEG&utm_source=CEG&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CustomEmailDigest&utm_term=jds-article&utm_content=article-link

Consumer Product Companies Using AI Should Think Past Compliance

by Raqiyyah Pippins, Peter Schildkraut - Bloomberg Law

Many consumer product companies—like other businesses—are turning to artificial intelligence-powered and automated decision-making, or ADM, technologies for operating efficiencies and enhanced customer experiences.

Companies embracing AI should look beyond compliance and develop a comprehensive risk management strategy.

Government enforcers are watching, and recent cases and agency guidance highlight the perils of not adopting appropriate safeguards for AI deployment.

Read more: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/consumer-product-companies-using-ai-should-think-past-compliance

Employers Face June 1, 2024 Deadline to Comply with Lehigh County, Pennsylvania’s New Expansive Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

by Wendy Buckingham, Kevin Frankel, Haley Norwillo, William Simmons, Littler - JD Supra

The Lehigh County Human Relations Ordinance was enacted February 26, 2024, establishing county-specific non-discrimination requirements for employment, housing, education, health care and public accommodations. The ordinance also creates a Lehigh County Human Relations Commission charged with investigating and enforcing claims of discrimination. The ordinance becomes effective June 1, 2024.

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/employers-face-june-1-2024-deadline-to-8816636/?origin=CEG

SETTING THE STAGE: CONNECTICUT SENATE BILL 2 LAYS THE GROUNDWORK FOR RESPONSIBLE AI IN THE STATES

by Tatiana Rice - Future of Privacy Forum

Last night, on April 24, the Connecticut Senate passed SB 2, marking a significant step toward comprehensive AI regulation in the United States. This comprehensive, risk-based approach has emerged as a leading state legislative framework for AI regulation. If enacted, SB 2 would stand as the first piece of legislation in the United States governing the private-sector development and deployment of AI with comparable scale to the EU AI Act. The law would become effective February 1, 2026. 

Read more: https://fpf.org/blog/setting-the-stage-connecticut-senate-bill-2-lays-the-groundwork-for-responsible-ai-in-the-states/?mkt_tok=MTM4LUVaTS0wNDIAAAGStS6CzVVML2VtJf5Zhz1I-t0eZp3fW2HB5yTtRY1pPvE5_owKZI3pue3Qw4hAu3K3cJXmPdLdKwD6q4JVwo-I3hSvgOKvFLcr3D9hjxJVzFq_

Massachusetts AG Campbell Issues Advisory on Artificial Intelligence

by Foley Hoag LLP, Daniel Carlston - JDSupra

Last month, we recapped the recent activity of state Attorneys General in the artificial intelligence (AI) space, including relevant enforcement actions, state legislative and policy development, and coalition letters to Congress and federal agencies.

On April 16, Massachusetts AG Andrea Campbell issued a legal advisory providing guidance to developers, suppliers, and users of AI on their obligations under state and federal consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and data security laws. Among other things, the advisory describes:

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/massachusetts-ag-campbell-issues-8744815/

Massachusetts Set to Restrict Employers from Using Credit Checks in Making Employment Decisions

Seyfarth Synopsis: On March 14, 2024, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation that would prohibit employers from obtaining or using a true credit report for employment purposes. The proposed law, which includes only limited exceptions, would be one of the most restrictive of its kind in the country. The bill is expected to pass the Senate and be signed by Governor Maura Healey. If passed, the law would go into effect January 1, 2025.

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/massachusetts-set-to-restrict-employers-3349520/