News
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane Attorneys Present a Webcast
Nan ONeill and Peter McNulty, attorneys with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP recently presented a webcast for the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP). The topic being discussed was CARES Act: Impact on Small- to Mid-Sized Employers and Their Workforces.
The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing solution-oriented education, research and information about employee benefits to single, multi-employer, and public employee benefit plans across the United States and Canada.
This webcast covered fundamental aspects of the CARES Act most likely to impact small and mid-sized companies and their workforces. Attorney McNulty’s session addressed the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses as well as recent and developing guidance from the Small Business Administration. Peter also discussed Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for small businesses. Attorney ONeill focused her discussion on other financial relief potentially available under the CARES ACT, including mid-sized business loans. Nan also discussed the expanded unemployment benefits and the impact on state unemployment programs as well as laid-off and furloughed workers.
This program dealt with topics focused on helping employers navigate the complex field of labor and employment and corporate laws due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Well-informed employers are much better equipped to avoid legal landmines.
Governor Signs PROTECT Act into Law
On August 5, 2026, Governor Maura Healey signed into law Chapter 163 of the Acts of 2026, An Act Promoting Rule of Law, Oversight, Trust and Equal Constitutional Treatment, commonly referred to as the PROTECT Act. This law was passed as an “emergency law” and attempts to regulate the actions of certain civil law enforcement agents in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including the access of agents to public schools.
Governor Signs PROTECT Act into Law
On August 5, 2026, Governor Maura Healey signed into law Chapter 163 of the Acts of 2026, An Act Promoting Rule of Law, Oversight, Trust and Equal Constitutional Treatment, commonly referred to as the PROTECT Act. This law was passed as an “emergency law” and attempts to regulate the actions of certain civil law enforcement agents in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including the access of agents to public schools.

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