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…

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly decreased health care utilization, as health care providers and patients have canceled appointments and postponed elective procedures. Because employees are not using their insurance benefits, some group medical, dental and vision carriers are providing employers…

On June 22, 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to halt certain work visas for immigrants coming to the country for employment. Expanding on a temporary immigration ban Trump introduced in April, the order blocks new immigrants on…

On June 18, 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released guidance to help employers plan how to reopen nonessential businesses. The guidance also addresses issues employers should consider as they ask their employees to return to work during…

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and Department of Treasury recently released a streamlined loan forgiveness application called the EZ Forgiveness Application. This newly released three-page EZ application is significantly shorter than the traditional loan forgiveness application and requires fewer calculations…

These guidelines, provided by the Governor's Economic Reopening Taskforce, apply to businesses and organizations that have been deemed essential and remained open during the “Stay at Home Order” and those that are re-opening all or a portion of their operations.…