NCSL - National Conference of State Legislatures
01/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/28/2026 08:03
Top Labor and HR Compliance Issues for 2026
Top Labor and HR Compliance Issues for 2026
State lawmakers will address AI regulations and major federal policy shifts on employment discrimination.
By Brian Joseph, State Net Capitol Journal | January 28, 2026
With AI bias on state lawmakers' radar in the coming year, employers should be careful to audit the AI tools they use in making hiring, promoting or firing decisions. (Photo illustration by NongAsimo/Getty Images)
This year labor and human resources compliance professionals should expect increased state-level enforcement activity-particularly in states led by Democrats-on a variety of employment-related issues, according to Elias Kahn, senior product manager for labor and employment, tax, employee benefits and executive compensation for the Practical Guidance team at LexisNexis.
Related from NCSL: Forecast '26: A Continuing Focus on Workforce Development and Job Training
In addition to artificial intelligence-the top issue for state lawmakers right now-Kahn identified the federal government's change of priorities regarding the workplace and blue states' response as a major labor and HR theme for the new year.
"Employers need to be aware of this dynamic and be prepared," he said.
Read the rest of this story at State Net Capitol Journal. Originally published Jan. 20, 2026; used with permission.
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