If HealthEquity is your COBRA administrator, you recently received two communications regarding the newly introduced COBRA subsidy under the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”). ARPA provides a 100 percent premium subsidy – between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021 ...

More and more jurisdictions are passing laws requiring employers to provide paid leave to employees, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this trend. When new laws are enacted, employers often have questions about the impact on their existing policies. Here are answers to some ...

On 3/30/21, the Department of Education announced an expansion of the pause to student loan interest and collection of all defaulted loans in the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program What this means ...

The cities of Dallas and San Antonio, Texas enacted ordinances that would require employers to provide paid sick leave to covered employees. March 10, 2021 Update: On March 10, 2021, a Texas appeals court ruled that San Antonio's paid sick leave ordinance is preempted by state law and ...

Delaware has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 32) that expressly prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals based on hair texture and protective hairstyles. Senate Bill 32 takes effect immediately. Background: Delaware prohibits employers with four or more employees from ...

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has provided guidance on providing employees pay, leave, and flexibility so they can get the COVID-19 vaccination. Employer-Mandated Vaccination Programs: In the guidance, the IDOL says that when employers require employees to get vaccinated, the ...

Illinois has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 1480) that restricts the use of conviction records for employment purposes. Senate Bill 1480 took effect immediately. Restrictions: Under the law, employers are generally prohibited from using a conviction record for employment purposes unless: ...

Kentucky has enacted legislation (House Bill 210) that amends and expands a state law that requires employers to provide leave to employees who adopt a child. Effective Date: House Bill 210 becomes effective 90 days after the adjournment of the state legislature. The legislature is expected to ...

Michigan has enacted legislation (House Bill 4047) that will provide funding to continue and expand hazard pay for direct care workers. Direct care workers employed by the following entities will be eligible for $2.25 per hour in hazard pay from March 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021: ...

The New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) has released guidance clarifying the circumstances in which employers may require their employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccination prior to returning to work. April 2021 Guidance: The guidance says employers may require that their ...