By Alicia J. Samolis and Michael A. Gamboli On May 18, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service published guidance in the form of a series of 86 questions and answers (“FAQ”) that address the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021’s (“ARPA”) continuation health coverage in the form of “COBRA premium assistance” under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget...
By Alicia Samolis Many employers are worried that COVID will result in legal liability from employee claims. However, some employers are still focusing on the wrong things. Understanding What Is (and Is Not) Likely to Get You Sued Absent legislation or an executive order, liability from COVID safety employment claims is not likely to be...
Client AlertsEmployment & LaborEmployers Should Brace Themselves for the ARPA’s Burdensome Paid COBRA Mandate
March 29, 2021
By Alicia J. Samolis and Michael A. Gamboli On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). The reach of the ARPA extends far and wide, including to healthcare coverage available to employees and their families following separation of employment under certain...
By Alicia J. Samolis and Michael A. Gamboli As most employers know, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) went into effect in April of 2020 and required employers with less than 500 employees to provide certain forms of paid COVID-related leave to eligible employees. Specifically, the FFCRA provided for 80 hours of emergency paid...
Client AlertsEmployment & LaborThe End of Mandatory COVID-19 Related Leave (For Now)
January 20, 2021
By Alicia J. Samolis and Michael A. Gamboli In a further attempt to alleviate the adverse economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, on December 21, 2020, Congress passed a $900 billion stimulus bill, which the President signed into law on December 27, 2020. While the stimulus bill declines to extend the Families First Coronavirus...
On December 21, 2020, Congress passed an approximately $900 billion coronavirus relief bill, which, if signed into law, would extend certain unemployment insurance (UI) provisions found in the CARES Act that was passed in March. A portion of the new bill labeled the “Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020” would extend the following...
Client AlertsEmployment & LaborCoronavirus Relief Bill Renews and Brings Changes to PPP and EIDL Programs
December 22, 2020
On December 21, 2020, Congress passed an approximately $900 billion coronavirus relief bill, the largest since the CARES Act was enacted in March. If signed into law, a portion of the bill labeled the “Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act,” would provide for a second round of PPP and EIDL loans,...
Client AlertsEmployment & LaborCongress Reaches a Deal on a $900 Billion Pandemic Relief Bill
December 21, 2020
United States Senate and House leaders have reached an agreement on an approximately $900 billion relief bill in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If passed, this would be the largest relief package since Congress passed the CARES Act in March of this year. The full text of the relief bill has not yet been...
Employment & LaborPress ReleasesRhode Island Bar Association COVID-19 Employment Law CLE
December 10, 2020
PS&H Employment & Labor attorneys Alicia Samolis and Joshua Xavier will lead a live continuing legal education webinar hosted by the Rhode Island Bar Association on COVID-19 in the workplace. The webinar will take place from 11am to 1pm on Thursday, December 10, 2020. The program will provide an overview of the latest legal issues attorneys...
Client AlertsEmployment & LaborCDC Expands the Definition of “Close Contact” for Purposes of Quarantine and Contact Tracing
October 22, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recommends quarantine for those who have been in “close contact” to a person who tested positive for COVID-19. Local health departments (and employers) typically rely on the CDC guidance in performing contact tracing and notifying exposed individuals. Yesterday, the CDC broadened the definition of “close contact” from...
