On July 11, 2017, we passed the Governor's veto deadline.  As we previously reported, the legislature approved several measures this year that impact employers' legal obligations under various employment laws in Hawaii, including workers' compensation, the Hawaii Family Leave Law ("HFLL"), increased HIOSH penalties, and payment of wages law.   Many of the measures that have been enacted into law this week were designed to take effect "upon approval," meaning that they have now become law.

 

For instance, employers are now subject to additional penalties for failure to comply with their legal obligations under workers' compensation and payment of wages law.  In addition, "siblings" are now a covered family member for purposes of the HFLL.  Finally, workers' compensation claimants now have additional rights when undergoing an independent medical examination.

 

For a full synopsis of these and other new laws, please review the following documents: