state legislation

Subscribe to state legislation via RSS
Washington State Capitol / Washington
Nils Huenerfuerst, Unsplash

Washington State has long taken a skeptical view of noncompetition agreements—and that skepticism is now on the brink of becoming a complete ban. Both chambers of the Legislature have approved Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1155, and the bill now awaits Governor Bob Ferguson’s signature, which is widely expected.

If signed, the law will dramatically reshape Washington’s restrictive covenant landscape. It…

Continue Reading Washington State Poised to Ban Noncompetition Agreements: What Employers Need to Know
1772743893-13379-4181-lxb_photoCtknYD1I5colxb_photo-
Kellie Shannon, Unsplash

Virginia’s Senate Bill 170 (2026 Session) introduces new limitations on the enforceability of restrictive covenants by protecting employees who are terminated without cause. More specifically, the proposed amendment will render any non-compete unenforceable against an employee who was discharged from employment unless severance benefits or other monetary payments are made to the employee. The law is silent as to what…

Continue Reading Virginia Moves to Protect Laid Off Workers
I took this picture when I went to Ultra Music Festival, Miami in 2019
Denys Kostyuchenko, Unsplash

As jurisdictions around the country continue to impose limitations—or outright bans—on restrictive covenants, Florida is taking a decidedly different approach. The Florida Contracts Honoring Opportunity, Investment, Confidentiality, and Economic Growth (CHOICE) Act (“the Act”) effective as of July 1, 2025 permits employers to use non-compete and garden leave restrictions up to 4 years in length with qualifying “covered employees,” along…

Continue Reading Florida Becomes Most Employer-Friendly State for Non-Competes

On October 12, 2023, the Wisconsin legislature introduced Assembly Bill 481, which proposes the ban of employee non-compete agreements in the Badger State. Currently, employee non-compete agreements in Wisconsin are allowed if limited to a specified territory, a specified time, and only if the “restrictions imposed are reasonably necessary for the protection of the employer or principal.” Wis. Stat.

Continue Reading Wisconsin Legislature Proposes Joining Other States in Ban of Non-Compete Agreements

Please join us for our sixth trade secrets webinar of the year entitled Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Legislative Update.

The webinar will be September 20, 2012 from noon to 1:00 p.m. central.

The past year has seen significant statutory changes to several jurisdictions’ laws regarding trade secrets and restrictive covenants and pending legislation proposed in additional jurisdictions. As trade…
Continue Reading Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Legislative Update Webinar On September 20, 2012