CURRENT NEWS AND
REGULATORY UPDATES

May 7, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced it will officially withdraw the Independent Contractor final rule. The withdrawal was effective immediately upon its publication in the Federal Register on May 6, 2021.

April 26, 2021 – The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set May 4 – 6, 2021 as the dates for this year’s International Roadcheck for commercial motor vehicle inspections.

April 12, 2021 – The U.S. EEOC announced the portal for private-sector employers to submit equal employment opportunity (EEO-1) workforce data from 2019 and 202 will open on April 26, 2021.

On April 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued FAQs and model notices for the COBRA premium assistance provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

April 7, 2021 – As of right now, members affected by the Blue Cross Blue Shield anti-trust lawsuit (also known as members of the Damages Class) will begin receiving notification by email and mail about the related settlement.

April 5, 2021 – Congress has passed the PPP Extension Act of 2021, a 60-day extension of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Payment Protection Program (PPP), which was set to expire on March 31.

March 26, 2021 – The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides a 100% subsidy of premiums for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA).

March 16, 2021 – President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) into law on March 11, 2021.

March 1, 2021 – In Sept. 2020, a settlement agreement was reached in the Blue Cross Blue Shield (Blue Cross) antitrust class-action lawsuit and recently the proposed settlement received preliminary approval.

Jan. 22, 2021 – In a recent speech, President Joe Biden outlined a proposed $1.9 trillion stimulus package to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and provide economic relief.

On Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule that clarifies how to determine whether a worker is an employee who is protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or an independent contractor who is exempt from it.