Federal Update An Overview of Legislative and Policy Issues Affecting Higher Education and the Employment of New College Graduates |
Prepared in June 2015, this provides an overview of legislative and policy issues affecting higher education and the employment of new college graduates. |
Legislative Issues for the Field: 2016 |
This article provides a snapshot of the issues tracked by the NACE Advocacy Advisory Committee from August 2015 through March 2016, and looks at some recent advocacy-related activity. |
Overtime Pay Rule Expected This Week |
Under a new rule from the Department of Labor, white collar workers who earn less than $50,400 will be eligible for overtime pay. |
White House Announces Overtime Pay Rule |
On May 18, 2016, the White House announced the new rule for overtime pay. Under the Department of Labor’s new rule, effective December 1, white collar workers who earn less than $47,476 will be eligible for overtime pay. |
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) |
Passed in 2014, the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the first reform of the work force system in more than 15 years and is designed to transform federally funded job training programs. |
Changes to Section 503: Impact on Higher Education and Opportunities for College Students and Recent Graduates With Disabilities |
Changes to Section 503 will encourage employers to be more inclusive and increase the hiring of people with disabilities. Career services should know how these changes will affect their students during the job-search process in order to advise them effectively. |
Understanding the College Scorecard |
The intent of the "College Scorecard" is to provide potential students and their parents with a clear way to judge the potential costs and likely benefits of attending one school as opposed to another, and make schools more focused on the end result, particularly the employment outcomes, of their programs. |
Update: STEM OPT Extension Final Rules Published |
The Department of Homeland Security released final rules around STEM OPT extension on March are expected to be published in the Federal Register on March 10, 2016; the new rules would go into effective no later than May 10. NACE supports the proposed rules. |
Will the Overtime Pay Rule Go Into Effect as Is on December 1? |
In May, the White House announced the final rule for overtime pay in the Fair Labor Standards Act that would go into effect December 1, 2016. However, there are several challenges to the rule as it stands. |
Federal Agencies to Increase Hiring of Disabled Workers |
A final rule from the EEOC requires federal agencies to take steps to increase the number of employees with disabilities in their work forces. |
Federal Judge Blocks Overtime Rule |
On November 22, 2016, U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant blocked the overtime rule from going into effect. |
Planned Bill Would Give DREAMERs Legal Status |
U.S. Senators are working on a bill to extend legal status for DREAMERs as a protection against deportation based on DREAMER-supplied personal information. |
OFCCP Alters Pay Transparency Provision |
Employers covered by Executive Order 11246, as amended, must post the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision and include it in employee manuals. |
“Buy American, Hire American” Executive Order Tightens Immigration Rules |
On April 18, 2017, President Trump issued the “Buy American, Hire American” executive order, tightening rules for skilled foreign workers. |
H-1B Visas: Where We Are and Where We Are Going |
Immigration attorneys review H-1B visas, changes that have impacted the H-1B program, and proposed legislation that may further impact H-1Bs. |
Immigration Key Issue in Legislative Landscape Update |
Among the vulnerabilities of colleges and universities that could affect campuses and students are immigration and DACA. |
DACA Update |
The executive order for DACA ends March 5, 2018. Here are practical considerations that need immediate attention. |
New DOL Program to Recognize Veteran Hiring Efforts |
The U.S. Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Medallion Program will recognize employers that recruit, retain, and employ veterans. |
New Guidelines for Internships: The New Unpaid Intern Test |
The DOL has released new guidelines around unpaid internships, replacing the six-part test with the primary beneficiary test. |
OFCCP Cuts Veteran Hiring Benchmark Again |
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs recently announced that the new veteran hiring benchmark is 6.4 percent. |
U.S. Government Must Resume DACA, Accept New Applications, Federal Judge Rules |
On April 24, 2018, a federal judge ruled that the DACA program must be resumed and new applications accepted. The judge stayed his decision for 90 days. |
EEO-1 Filing Deadline Extended |
Due to
the partial government shutdown, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
has extended the 2018 EEO-1 filing deadline to May 31, 2019. |
OFCCP Reduces VEVRAA Benchmark to 5.9 Percent |
For the fifth straight year, the OFCCP has reduced the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act benchmark. |
DOL Rule Raises Salary Level for OT Pay |
Under a final rule issued recently by the U.S. Department of Labor, employees who make less than $35,568 are now eligible for overtime pay. |
OFCCP Issues FAQs for AAP Plans in Campus-Like Settings |
The OFCCP released a set of FAQs to help contractors with campus-like settings determine whether to maintain one or multiple affirmative action programs. |
New Overtime Requirements |
On January 1, 2020, millions of people became eligible for overtime. It is imperative that employers and employees understand the new overtime rules and requirements going forward. |
USCIS Launches New Pre-Registration Process for H-1B Filings |
Beginning on March 1, the USCIS will implement a new “pre-registration” system for employers seeking to file H-1B petitions for employees. |
Emergency Programs Go Into Effect in April |
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which establishes emergency paid sick leave and emergency leave programs, will go into effect on April 2. |
New OFCCP Directive Aims to Make Compliance Evaluations More Efficient |
A new directive from the OFCCP aims to help the office streamline its compliance evaluation process of federal contractors. |
New Relief for Government Contractors During Coronavirus Pandemic |
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act provides potential reimbursement to federal contractors for employees in certain situations. |
OFCCP Starts Scheduling VEVRAA-Focused Reviews |
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has started scheduling Vietnam Era Veteran Readjustment Assistance Act-focused reviews. |