Recently, while attention has understandably been focused on employment issues arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maryland legislature has passed several non-pandemic pro-employee laws that were not vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan. All of these laws become effective on October 1, 2020.

FDA has yet again revised its Enforcement Policy for the US importation and distribution of face masks and respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Section 230(c) of the Communications Decency Act, which has been around for more than 20 years, gives online platform providers and others protection from claims that information posted on their sites by third parties violates a law or someone else’s rights.

Accredited organizations should begin to prepare for the resumption of survey activity in a modified form. Organizations that are experiencing a COVID-19 surge or have other challenges may want to reach out to the accrediting organization to discuss the impact of survey activity at this time.

The U.S. House of Representatives earlier today passed H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, in a 417-1 bipartisan vote.

Congressional Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York has introduced a bill, H.R. 7011, titled the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act of 2020 (the Act).

Companies using payment processors should vet the companies they work with and require reasonable security controls.

Businesses across the country are facing challenges, including lawsuits, as they grapple with how COVID-19 has impacted their operations, work forces, and supply chains. The wave of litigation is rising, and it appears that no industry is immune.

A HHS Final Rule for Exchange plans states that coupons and copay cards offered directly by drug manufacturers can be counted towards a patient’s annual cost-sharing limit.

In today’s episode, we continue our conversation on “Force Majeure” with Partners Barbara Wahl and Bernice Leber. Our lawyers cover a few of the first COVID-related lawsuits filed, important trends, and ways to leverage mediation to avoid costly litigation.

On May 19, 2020, the Council of the District of Columbia unanimously approved the Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (the “Act”), which consolidates the four previous emergency acts adopted by the Council, and includes notable additions and modifications.

Because COVID-19 has caused many tenants to experience significant financial hardship and cash shortfalls, their landlords that are real estate investment trusts (REITs) may experience challenges satisfying tax requirements to maintain REIT status in 2020.

The FDA has just published a list of certain already-on-the-market serology/antibody tests from commercial manufacturers that should not be distributed unless and until an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) is issued for the test.

On Friday, May 22, 2020, the USDA and FDA jointly released recommendations to address shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), cloth face coverings, disinfectants, and sanitation supplies in the food and agriculture industries.

On May 22, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator signed a proposed rule entitled “EPA Guidance; Administrative Procedures for Issuance and Public Petitions” that provides guidance and procedures for regulatory documents issued by the agency.

In what has been considered a huge win for community pharmacists, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the General Counsel (OGC) issued an Advisory Opinion on May 19, 2020.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court unanimously sided with fashion brand Lucky Brand Dungarees, Inc. (LB) resolving its decades-old dispute with Marcel Fashion Group, Inc. (Marcel). 

On May 22, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and US Department of Treasury released long-promised forgiveness regulations (Regulations) for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

You’ve secured a PPP Loan to help weather the pandemic. Now, the SBA and Treasury have released a Loan Forgiveness Application to help lighten your financial burden. In today’s podcast, Aaron Jacoby, Russ McRory, and Justin Goldberg discuss the rules, application, and impact on the auto industry.

Under the National Labor Relations Act, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) conducts secret ballot elections to determine whether or not employees in a unit wish to be represented by a union.

On March 23, 2020, Governor Baker issued an executive order closing the “brick and mortar” operations of all non-essential businesses. Nearly two months later, on May 18, he announced his four-part plan to “reopen” the Massachusetts economy. 

On May 20, 2020, the US Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule that clarifies that payments in addition to the fixed salary are compatible with the use of the fluctuating workweek method under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).