Virus Rushes Some States’ Worker-Friendly Bills, Stalls Others

Worker protection proposals in the Maryland and New York legislatures might have gotten a boost from the novel coronavirus outbreak, while others are in limbo as state legislatures suspend their sessions.

Bills to block Maryland employers’ use of salary history when setting pay for new hires and to expand pregnancy accommodations for Maryland state government workers got final passage on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Those bills now go to the governor. Lawmakers had to rush to final votes on these bills and other Maryland legislation as they prepare to halt their session Wednesday.

Maryland joins roughly 20 other states where ...