Updates
Updates
Education Alert
On May 6, 2020, the United States Department of Education (“DOE”) issued final regulations for Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”). Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The new regulations go into effect on August 14, 2020, so school districts are encouraged to review their policies and procedures and provide staff training on these new regulations as soon as possible. The final regulations list specific elements that must be included in any policy, such as range of disciplinary actions, standards of evidence, and procedures.
Bill No. 4820 to Expand Vote by Mail and Early Voting:
On July 6, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker signed “An Act Relative to Voting Options in Response to COVID-19 (“Act”)” into law. The Act contains several important amendments to the Massachusetts Elections Law, M.G.L. c. 54 and applies to all federal, state and local elections through the end of 2020. The Act, designed to make voting more convenient and reduce crowding at the polls, affords all Massachusetts voters the option to vote by mail and extends the time allowed for early in-person voting.
Expansion of Federal Protections for LGBT Workers
On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down a historic 6-3 decision authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, in which the Court held that employers cannot discriminate against an individual on the basis of the individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This case, Bostock v. Clayton County, was a consolidation of three cases, involving two gay men, who were terminated based on their sexual orientation, and one transgender woman, who was terminated based on her gender identity.
Workers’ Compensation Claims and COVID-19
The coronavirus and its effects are likely to have an impact on workers’ compensation claims. Two of the most common questions that have been raised regarding COVID-19 and workers’ compensation are addressed below, including compensation for employees who contract COVID-19 at work and employees who are injured while working from home.
Bargaining and Protected Concerted Activities in the Time of COVID-19: Guidance and Lessons for Employers
The recent need to make difficult and sometimes time-sensitive decisions during the pandemic has raised the question of bargaining and other obligations under federal and state labor law. Whether or not you have a unionized workforce, the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA” or the “Act”) for covered private sector employers and Massachusetts state law, M.G.L. c. 150E, for public sector employers in Massachusetts, protects employees’ rights to engage in protected concerted activities. Moreover, for those employers with organized workforces, employers are generally obligated to bargain before making changes to employees’ wages, hours, working conditions, or other mandatory subjects of bargaining. Failure to do so may constitute an unlawful unilateral change and result in a finding that the employer committed an unfair labor practice.
This client alert highlights the law’s provisions addressing permits, permit applications, and public hearings. The law defines “permit” broadly to include permits, variances, special permits, licenses, amendments, extensions, and other approvals by a permit granting authority. A “permit granting authority” is also defined broadly to include any local, district, county, or regional official or multi-member body authorized to issue a permit.
Employer Tax Credits for Retention and Leave Payments under the FFCRA and CARES Act
The Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) as well as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) have delivered some much needed relief to employers hit hard by the COVID-19 virus and associated work stoppages. These Acts allow employers to obtain relief from wage payments against the payroll taxes they otherwise owe.
Omnibus Municipal Relief Law – Part II: Permits, Applications, and Public Hearings
On Friday, April 3, 2020, Governor Baker signed into law An Act to Address Challenges Faced by Municipalities and State Authorities Resulting from COVID-19, which was codified at Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020 (the “Act”). The Act addresses a number of issues faced by municipalities resulting from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, including the implications for town meetings, town budgets, taxes, sale of alcoholic beverages, and multi-member body permits.
This client alert highlights the law’s provisions addressing permits, permit applications, and public hearings. The law defines “permit” broadly to include permits, variances, special permits, licenses, amendments, extensions, and other approvals by a permit granting authority. A “permit granting authority” is also defined broadly to include any local, district, county, or regional official or multi-member body authorized to issue a permit.
Omnibus Municipal Relief Law – Part I: Changes to Off Premises Service of Beer and Wine; Advice on Administration and Enforcement
On April 3, 2020, Governor Baker signed into law Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020 (the “Law”), a multidimensional municipal relief bill affecting a broad range of municipal concerns arising from the present COVID pandemic, and Governor Baker’s emergency orders. The legislation addresses multiple varied municipal issues ranging from postponement of Town Meetings, recalibration of the municipal budget process, and tolling of permit timelines. Among the provisions of the new law is Section 13 which significantly alters the licensing landscape for the sales and service of alcoholic beverages. As with many sections of the law, this alteration is limited to the duration of Governor Baker’s March 10, 2020 Declaration of Emergency.
CARES ACT – $2 Trillion in Coronavirus Relief Including Expanded Unemployment Insurance
The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) was signed into law on Friday, March 27, 2020. The massive bill provides economic relief for both workers who are laid off and businesses which have shut down or curtailed business operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The scope of the CARES Act, also known as the stimulus bill, goes far beyond worker benefits and also provides loans for small and large companies as well as multi-faceted support for America’s health care system. This client alert summarizes the expanded unemployment insurance provisions of the CARES Act which provide financial assistance to workers unable to work due to COVID-19.
Small Business Administration Assistance will be provided to Massachusetts Businesses and Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has moved swiftly to enact measures aimed at assisting those small businesses that have been directly affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic with close cooperation with the federal government and the Small Business Administration.
The Passing of a Giant of a Lawyer, Michael C. Lehane
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP is deeply saddened to announce that one of the founding partners of the firm, Michael C. Lehane, passed away on January 11, 2021. Mr. Lehane was a giant of a lawyer, an incredible mentor and friend to all who worked with him. He was highly respected by his colleagues, whether it be his fellow partners, judges, clients or friends. Renowned for his quick wit and intelligence, grace under pressure, sense of humor and Read More
Unpacking the Federal Stimulus Package’s Direct Payments, Enhanced Unemployment Payments, and FFCRA Leave Extension
There has been a great deal of discussion in the news lately about the latest Congressional stimulus package, which was ultimately signed by President Trump on Sunday, December 27, 2020, following his initial pushback. The stimulus package, officially known as the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (the “Stimulus”), is a behemoth piece of legislation that consists of nearly 5,600 pages, covering a broad array of appropriation matters.

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