The legislature has updated the scheduled increases to the State’s minimum wage. For small employers (those with fewer than 15 employees), the State minimum wage is $12.80 per hour as of January 1, 2023. For employers with 15 or more employees, the State minimum wage is $13.25 per hour as of January 1, 2023.
The minimum wage rate will increase to $15 per hour on January 1, 2024 for all employers, regardless of size.
The legislature also updated the State’s prohibition on certain non-compete agreements and clauses. In 2019, the General Assembly made it unlawful for employers to require certain employees to enter into non-compete agreements. The prohibition applies to any employee who earns equal to or less than $15 per hour or $31,200 annually.
This past legislative session, the General Assembly, through Senate Bill 591, altered the ban on non-compete and conflict of interest provisions in employment contracts and similar documents that restrict employees from working for other employers or becoming self-employed in the same or similar business or trade. The revised threshold for prohibited non-compete agreements is $15 per hour or 150% of the state minimum wage rate. The updated thresholds are effective as of October 1, 2023. Non-compete and conflict of interest provisions for employees at or under these thresholds are void as against public policy.