Social Media Roundup -

Rhode Island, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma are the latest states to provide prospective and/or current employees with increased social media protections, following Tennessee, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, California, Michigan, Utah, New Mexico, Arkansas, Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Nevada. This special report highlights the key provisions of the new laws and examines the implications for covered employers.

Rhode Island -

Rhode Island's new social media law, which took effect on June 30, 2014, covers any person in the state employing individuals or acting in the interest of an employer. Under the new Rhode Island law, employers may not require, coerce or request an employee or applicant to:

- disclose the password or any other means of access to a personal social media account;

- access a personal social media account in the presence of the employer or representative; or

- divulge personal social media account information, unless the employer reasonably believes the information is relevant to an investigation into alleged employee misconduct or workplace-related violations of applicable laws and regulations, and when not otherwise prohibited by law or constitution. (The information only may be accessed and used to the extent necessary for that investigation or a related proceeding).