On Aug. 5, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued two new publications that aim to clarify existing requirements related to opioid addiction and employment under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The documents confirm that: Current, illegal drug…

The 2018 Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act established a statewide paid family and medical leave program financed by employer and employee contributions. Contributions began in October 2019, and employee leave benefits become available on Jan. 1, 2021, and…

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the exemption for the physical inspection of Form I-9 documents has been extended to Aug. 19, 2020. According to the DHS, this will serve as the final extension. Refer to…

On July 24, 2020, President Donald Trump signed four executive orders to lower the cost of prescription drugs, including insulin and epinephrine. Reducing drug prices has been a long-standing campaign promise of the administration. The executive orders focus on insulin…

On July 21, 2020, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2020-36 to index the contribution percentages in 2021 for determining affordability of an employer’s plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning in 2021, employer-sponsored coverage will be…

On July 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the agency’s publication of additional guidance on applying federal employment laws in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance is in the form of questions and answers added…

On July 17, 2020, a federal appeals court upheld a 2018 final rule expanding short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) for purposes of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The final rule: Provides a maximum coverage period for STLDI of up to 12…

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has revised the forms employers and employees may use to meet their notification and certification obligations under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In a…

On July 13, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released 2020 draft Forms 1094-C and 1095-C. Draft instructions have not yet been released, and Forms 1094-B and 1095-B and related draft instructions have not been released at this time. Draft…

Employers are required to report the amount of qualified sick and family leave wages paid to employees under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) on Form W-2, according to guidance from the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. Employers…

On July 8, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld two regulations expanding exemptions from the contraceptive coverage mandate under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In a 7:2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration had the authority under…

Congress has passed legislation to extend the application deadline for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan through Aug. 8, 2020. Prior to the extension, the deadline to apply for these funds was June 30, 2020. The extension enables eligible small…