This alert has been updated to reflect the fact that Maine’s PFML law has been signed by the governor. Maine is the latest state to enact a paid family and medical leave (PFML) law, offering one of the most generous PFML programs in the country. Maine’s PFML law, which was signed into law on July…

Connecticut has expanded the reasons covered employees can use leave under the state’s 2012 paid sick and safe leave (PSSL) law. These changes will take effect October 1, 2023. Background Expanded Reasons for Leave

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued Notice 2023-37, providing guidance on several issues related to health plans’ coverage of treatment and services. The guidance addresses the transition from pandemic to post-pandemic policies as well as providing clarification of the impact of recent litigation on health plans.

WA PFML: Washington Governor Jay Inslee has signed legislation to amend the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act effective January 1, 2024. The amendment allows certain “interested parties” to access information regarding paid leave claims. PFML and WA Cares Rule Changes: The Washington Employment Security Department has adopted rules that add new requirements for…

On June 2, 2023, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law Senate Bill 23-017 expanding the allowed reasons for use under the state’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA) and adding bereavement leave, but maintaining the leave entitlement at its current level. Previous alerts on the HFWA are copied below for reference. Colorado HFWA INFO…

Beginning July 1, 2023, employers must begin withholding contributions for the WA Cares program from the wages of employees who work in Washington State. Contributions were previously delayed from their original effective date of January 1, 2022. Previous alerts on the WA Cares program are copied below for reference. UPDATE: WA Long-Term Care Employee Exemptions…

On May 16, 2023, the Minnesota State Legislature passed a package of jobs and labor legislation that included a statewide earned sick and safe time (ESST) requirement. The legislation, which is expected to be signed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, would require employers to begin providing ESST effective January 1, 2024. Coverage Accrual and Carryover…

The IRS has announced its inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs), high deductible health plans (HDHPs), and excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (EBHRAs) for 2024.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have issued a rule temporarily extending telehealth prescribing flexibility first implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new temporary rule is effective the day the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends (May 11, 2023) and offers several forms of flexibility with…

The DOL recently announced a settlement with Prudential that will have implications for evidence of insurability (EOI) processes for employer-sponsored life insurance.  The settlement followed an investigation by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) that found that Prudential had collected premiums for supplemental life coverage, in the absence of approved EOI, going back as far…