There have been whispers of federal regulation of non-compete agreements for years. Multiple bipartisan bills aiming to ban non-competes have fallen to the wayside without traction. The Federal Trade Commission hosted a workshop in January 2020 (attended by our own Erik Winton) “to examine whether there is a sufficient legal basis and empirical economic support”
Non-Competes
New Nevada Law Further Regulates Restrictive Covenants
Important amendments to Nevada’s non-compete statute, NRS 613.195, recently were enacted when Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed into law Assembly Bill 47. Because A.B. 47 does not have a specified effective date, it will go into effect on October 1, 2021, pursuant to Nevada law.
Ban on Non-Competes for Hourly Employees
First, A.B. 47…
Illinois Passes Bill to Further Limit Restrictive Covenants for Employees
After extensive negotiations between interest groups representing both employees and businesses, the Illinois General Assembly passed a major bill on May 31, 2021, that further limits and clarifies the circumstances in which restrictive covenants can be enforced against Illinois employees. Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker is expected to sign the bill into law.
We provide…
Two New Connecticut Bills Aim to Prohibit Physician Non-Competition Agreements
Connecticut lawmakers recently introduced two bills that seek to ban non-competition agreements for physicians. If implemented, this would be the second time in five years that Connecticut has legislated in the area of physician restrictive covenants.
In mid-2016, Connecticut enacted legislation that implemented a maximum one-year temporal limitation on physician non-competition agreements, as well as…
New Jersey General Assembly to Vote on Renewed Bill Seeking to Curb Restrictive Covenants
New Jersey may be next up to join the growing number of states that significantly restrict the use of non-competition agreements in employment. As we discussed back in December 2017, a bill proposed in New Jersey at the time, Senate Bill 3518, would “impose significant restrictions and limitations” on the use of restrictive covenants…
D.C. Mayor Signs Bill to Ban Non-Competes
The District of Columbia appears poised to join the growing number of nearby states regulating and limiting restrictive covenant agreements in the employment context.
Unanimously passed by the D.C. City Council on December 15, 2020 and signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser on January 11, 2021, the “The Ban on Non-Compete Agreements Amendment Act of…
New Indiana Law Governs Physician Non-Compete Agreements
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indiana has enacted a new law governing non-compete agreements used with physicians.
Our Practice Group members in Indianapolis authored an article detailing the new law’s requirements. As the article notes, the new law raises multiple unanswered questions.
And, while not as sweeping as other statutes, Indiana now joins…
Virginia Bans Non-Competes for Low(er)-Wage Workers
Is anyone focusing on anything other than the COVID-19 Pandemic? Apparently, the Virginia legislature and governor are undeterred, enacting a series of new laws. Among them, Virginia has banned non-compete agreements for lower wage earners, becoming the most recent state to do so. A summary of the key provisions is included in this article written…
Senate Committee Holds Hearing On Recently Proposed Federal Non-Compete Bans
On November 14, 2019, the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship held a hearing to examine recently proposed bills that would regulate non-compete agreements at the federal level. Discussion during the hearing indicates that it may have the necessary support to move forward.
Pending Non-Compete Legislation
On October 15, 2019, Senators Chris Murphy…
Virginia Attempts, Maryland Succeeds, in Limiting Non-Competes For Low-Wage Employees
In numerous states throughout the country, legislatures are moving to limit the use and enforcement of non-compete and other restrictive covenant agreements. Two such states, Maryland and Virginia, are seeking to curtail such agreements with regard to low-wage employees.
Virginia Senate Bill 1387
On January 17, 2019, the Virginia Senate introduced SB 1387, which…