Agency Changes

President Obama named Stuart Ishimaru to serve as acting chairman of the EEOC, and Christine Griffin as acting vice chairman.

Discrimination in the Workplace/Employee Wage and Hour Law

President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 into law two days after the House approved the bill by a vote of 250 to 177.

The Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009 (S. 263) would add stricter provisions to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

Employee Benefits

A number of bills were introduced that seek to extend COBRA coverage. Such bills include the COBRA Coverage Extension Act of 2009 (H.R. 694), the Health Care and Training for Older Workers Act (S. 281) and the House version of the Stimulus bill (H.R. 1) that incorporated COBRA extension provisions for the elderly and unemployed.

Additionally, a comprehensive health care bill (H.R. 676) was introduced by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), although it is unlikely this legislation will be considered anytime soon.

The Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act of 2009 (S. 274) would provide employers with a tax incentive to hire unemployed veterans.

Immigration

The House-passed Stimulus Bill (H.R. 1) contains a provision requiring E-Verify participation. Also in E-Verify news, the required implementation date has been postponed until May 21, 2009. The Employee Verification Amendment Act of 2009 (H.R. 662) would extend the pilot programs for employment eligibility confirmation, among other things.

Labor/Management Relations

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has indicated that the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) will be up for consideration this summer.

The Highway Trust Fund Reform Act of 2009 (H.R. 687) would repeal the prevailing wage rate requirements for laborers and mechanics employed by contractors who work on federal-aid highway and public transportation construction projects.

In procedural news, the NLRB issued a new rule that allows for electronic service of process.