We routinely recommend to clients that they develop a written information security program (“WISP”), to safeguard sensitive information on a day-to-day basis. In fact, businesses (wherever located) that collect, store or use personal information about a Massachusetts or Rhode Island resident are required legally to develop and maintain a WISP. For purposes of these legal requirements, personal...

On Wednesday April 17, 2019, the IRS issued the second round of proposed Treasury Regulations for Qualified Opportunity Zones under the Tax Code (the “New Proposed Regulations”). These regulations provide some much-needed clarity to some of the eligibility requirements for Qualified Opportunity Zone tax benefits. As a refresher on the potential tax benefits available in...

The Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) was the first state statute to restrict when and how entities can collect, purchase and obtain biometric identifiers (e.g., fingerprints, voiceprints and retinal scans). BIPA requires private entities to: 1. inform individuals that their biometric information is being collected or stored; 2. notify the individuals in writing of...

As we indicated in our prior client alerts on the new Massachusetts paid family and medical leave law (“PFML”), while the first phase of the law goes into effect on July 1, the PFML’s procedural requirements and operational mechanics continue to be revised and updated. The Department of Family and Medical Leave (“DFML”) announced the...

Overview One of the major impediments to the growth of the legal cannabis industry in the United States is the inability of cannabis businesses to obtain banking services. Under current law, most banks and credit unions refuse to provide services to cannabis related businesses and their owners, employees or service providers (the “Cannabis Industry”) for...

The first phase of Massachusetts’ new paid family and medical leave law (“PFML”) requires covered employers to provide certain notices to employees and 1099-MISC contractors as of July 1. Specifically, a form of notice is required to be posted at employer locations and personal notice is required to be provided to all covered workers. As...

By Alicia J. Samolis and Michael A. Gamboli   Certain Obligations Take Effect on July 1 – What Employers Need to Know Now THE BASICS. Massachusetts has enacted yet another new leave law. Paid Family and Medical Leave (“PFML”) provides employees with job protected leaves of absence similar to those provided by the federal FMLA, but...