PA Acts 57 and 59: What Municipal Police Departments Need to Know
In the summer of 2020, the Pennsylvania legislature adopted two laws that impact police training and conduct, Act 57 and Act 59. Both were signed into law on July 14,…
Legal Insights
PA Act 65 of 2021 Creates New Agenda Requirements for Governmental Entities
Steven Engel
On June 30, 2021, Governor Wolf enacted Act 65 of 2021 creating new requirements for governmental entities to provide notice of certain meeting agenda items to the general public. Act…
Court Upholds Employee’s Termination for Violating Employer’s Social Media Policy
John Prorok
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently decided the case of Ellis v. Bank of New York Mellon Corp., a case involving claims of racial discrimination…
PRIETO V. SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA (INTEMPERANCE – TEACHER GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL)
Christina Lane
In a recent decision regarding a termination case brought by a former professional employee, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education issued an Opinion upholding the dismissal of the professional employee, Hugo…
Pandemic Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) Denials:
Christina Lane
Special Education Case Comparisons Parents, students, teachers, and school communities have struggled to provide appropriate instruction during the pandemic. Challenges have arisen with the use of technology, providing content for…
What is in The New Bankruptcy Code or Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021?
John Prorok
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (the “Act”) was signed into law on December 27, 2020, to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For any business which has…
Autism Discrimination May Give Rise to Claims for Compensatory Monetary Damages
Christina Lane
On March 5, 2020, a 17-year-old minor and student of Erie School District was ejected from school property without having secured a means of transportation home. In the case of…
What Landlords Need to Know About ADA Service Animals?
Lawrence Maiello
It is standard practice for landlords and housing providers to establish rules regarding tenants’ ability to have animals on their property. However, what happens when a potential tenant has a…
What Steps Should Companies Take to Reduce Age Discrimination?
Alfred Maiello
Agism is discrimination against individuals in the workplace on the basis of the individual’s age. Age discrimination may not be the first thing we think about when we think of…
Employer Health Insurance Mandates and The Risk of Unemployment with ACT 9 of 2020 Explained
Michael Brungo
Pennsylvania employers must be aware of new regulations imposed upon them by Act 9 of 2020 when employees separate from employment. Act 9 imposes new mandates related to unemployment compensation…
How Is the Americans with Disabilities Act Affected by COVID-19?
John Prorok
Until a vaccine is distributed widely enough to reduce the ongoing spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers will almost certainly have to continue in their efforts to balance the efficiency…
PA Heart and Lung Act: What Employers Need to Know
John Prorok
The Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act is often referred to colloquially as “workers compensation for police.” While there is some truth to that phrasing, the two types of compensation differ…
PA Supreme Court Upholds Largest Monetary Sanction Against Governmental Entity In PA History Under RTKL
Steven Engel
On December 22, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decided the case of Uniontown Newspapers, Inc. v. Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, upholding the largest monetary sanction ever imposed against a governmental…
Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law: What Businesses Need to Know
John Prorok
Pennsylvania’s Whistleblower Law (“PWL”) provides protection to employees who “blow the whistle” on misconduct that affects public funds or violates state or federal law. When businesses violate these laws, the…
New 2020 Overtime Rules for Salaried Employees in PA
Michael Brungo
New overtime rules in the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) take effect nationwide Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Pennsylvania employers must understand the new rules and their obligation to comply…