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  Proposed Legislation Likely to Classify More Workers as Employees: Read More
  

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  The Senate has introduced its own version of the independent contractor legislation.  Read about it here:
  

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  Congressman McDermott introduced new legislation that would make it harder for workers to classify as independent contractors: Read More from Rep. McDermott

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  Read this Wall Street Journal article about the freelance economy: Temporary Workers and the 21st Century Economy

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• A Colorado bill was signed on June 2, 2009 that increases penalties for misclassified workers. There is a fine of up to $5,000 per misclassified employee and up to $25,000 per misclassified employee for every additional offense.

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• Ohio is pursuing an employee misclassification law. Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray is working with the Department of Jobs and Family Services, the Department of Taxation, and the Bureau of Workers' Compensation on the legislation.

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• The Workplace Fraud Act of 2009 was signed in Maryland by Governor O'Malley. Employers who "knowingly" misclassify employees could face a fine of $5,000 for the first violation, $10,000 for the second violation, and $20,000 for subsequent violations.

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The Illinois Department of Labor revised the Employee Classification Act, effective January 1, 2008. The updated law aims to penalize misclassification of workers as independent contractors.

Executive Orders addressing misclassification issues have been issued in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Michigan and Iowa.