An NCSL news roundup of resources, tailored for state legislatures.

Sept. 12, 2025

In today's edition, Minnesota is preparing to roll out a comprehensive paid family leave program starting in January. Many older workers are turning back the clock to "unretire." And, how are legislatures using artificial intelligence in their work?

A robust paid leave program will launch in Minnesota next year, aiming to provide partial wage replacement and job security for workers to care for loved ones or their own medical needs. The program will eventually have a staff of 350 people. Check out what other states are doing in NCSL's report on state policies on paid family leave.

► NCSL: State Policies on Paid Family Leave

► Governing: Minnesota Readies to Launch Comprehensive Paid Leave Program

► S.C. Daily Gazette: South Carolina paid parental leave law covers stillbirths, attorney general’s office says

► Stateline: 18 states now stop cities from enacting paid leave standards

For many retirees, life after work doesn’t mean slowing down. Instead, they’re heading back to the workplace—bringing critical skills to industries struggling with labor shortages and reshaping the modern workforce in the process. 

► Read about 'unretirement'

The group’s August meeting also covered the administration’s health policy agenda and energy projects on agricultural lands.

► Read about tariff policies

State legislatures have begun using a variety of artificial intelligence tools to assist with legislative processes. Legislative staff report using generative AI tools, including ChatGPT and CoPilot, for a variety of purposes such as doing research, creating first drafts of documents and editing text. Generative AI systems can produce text, images, video and other media in response to user prompts.  

► Read about using AI

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Join us for this discussion about the importance of Medicaid adult dental coverage to overall health, impacts of HR1 on the states, and strategies from the states to strengthen and protect vital benefits. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 3-4 p.m. ET.

► Register now

► Capitol Security | Wisconsin Republican leader says he doesn’t want to ‘fortify’ the state Capitol (Associated Press)

► Minimum Wage | Maine’s minimum wage will increase to $15.10 next year (Maine Morning Star)

► Constitutional Amendments | Missouri voters and lawmakers clash over who should be able to initiate constitutional amendments (Associated Press)

► Cap and Trade | Newsom strikes climate deal extending California cap and trade, boosting oil production (CalMatters)

► COVID Vaccines | New Jersey to maintain COVID-19 vaccine access despite new federal restrictions (New Jersey Monitor)

► National Guard | Thinner attendance at Washington National Guard training as state deals with funding clawback (Washington State Standard)

NCSL does not necessarily endorse the content or views expressed in these news reports.

Virtual Events

Sept. 17 | Bill Information Service and NCSL Legislation Database Training

Oct. 28-29 | NCSL Base Camp 2025

 

In-Person Meetings

Nov. 19 | NCSL Capital Forum

 

Professional Development Seminars for Legislative Staff

Sept. 21 | ASLCS Professional Development Seminar, Santa Fe, N.M.  

Sept. 30 | NLPES Professional Development Seminar, Helena, Mont.

Oct. 5 | RELACS Professional Development Seminar, Madison, Wis.

Oct. 5 | LRL Professional Development Seminar, Princeton, N.J.

Oct. 15 | NALFO Professional Development Seminar, Portland, Ore.

Oct. 19 | NLSSA Annual Training Conference, Indianapolis

Oct. 22 | National Seminar on HR Management in State Legislatures, San Jose, Calif.

Nov. 3 | LSPA Professional Development Seminar, Phoenix

Articles from news sources curated in NCSL Today are provided for information purposes only and do not reflect the views or policies of NCSL.

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