On H1B no payroll for 7 months and then start work on a new project

My friend entered USA on H1B visa but didn’t work for 7 months as he was sick and had family circumstances and thus didn’t work and no payroll. Now he has got a project and ready to start in a different state the employer being the same. I would like to know if his case is out of status and if so what can be done to regulate this?