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Fall River

SCOTUS Halts COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

  • Kelsey Walsh
SCOTUS Halts COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard  On January 13, 2022, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”), stayed the implementation of the Occupation Health and Safety Administration’s (“OSHA”) Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) regarding COVID-19.As of January 10, 2022, employers with 100 or more employees are required to promulgate COVID-19 policies in the workplace, including requiring an employee to provide proof of...

SENATE BILL NO 2. AND NEW REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES REQUIRED IN THE HIRING AND REPORTING PROCESS FOR PEACE OFFICERS

  • Ben Ramsey
SENATE BILL NO 2. AND NEW REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES REQUIRED IN THE HIRING AND REPORTING PROCESS FOR PEACE OFFICERS   On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed “Senate Bill No. 2 Peace officers: certification: civil rights”. Senate Bill No. 2 creates a professional licensing agency for law enforcement personnel similar to other professional licensing boards, in addition to creating new requirements for the hiring process and record keeping. Mandatory POST Certification now operates as a professional license for peace officers....

Cal/OSHA Updates COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards

  • Gretchen Dugan
Cal/OSHA Updates COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards On December 16, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board readopted the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (“ETS”) for the second time.  These updated ETS’s comply with the latest recommendations from the California Department of Public Health, are more in line with the federal OSHA, and take effect on January 14, 2022. What Changed?Definitions Key updates to definitions include amendments to...

Heads Up!! SB 278: Increased Employer Liability for CalPERS Reporting Errors

  • Gretchen Dugan
Heads Up!!  SB 278: Increased Employer Liability for CalPERS Reporting Errors On September 27, 2021, Governor Newsom signed SB 278, which adds Government Code section 20164.5 to the statutes.  SB 278 requires public employers to reimburse CalPERS and pay substantial penalties when CalPERS deems part of a pension benefit to be unlawful after a member has retired, even if CalPERS had previously approved of the benefit during an audit or MOU...

Gov. Newsom Extends Remote Government Meetings

  • Margaret E. Long, Partner 
Gov. Newsom Extends Remote Government Meetings On September 16, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 361 into law.  The stated aim of AB 361 is “to improve and enhance public access to local agency meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic and future applicable emergencies, by allowing broader access through teleconferencing options” consistent with Executive Order N-29-20. This urgency bill became effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature, and amends the...

Ordinances Requiring Premium Pay for Employees Working in Pandemic are Upheld

  • Carolyn Walker
Ordinances Requiring Premium Pay for Employees Working in Pandemic are Upheld The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the employment world in a lot of different ways.  For several cities in California, this has translated to premium or “hero” pay for employees such as grocery workers still working amid the pandemic.  California cities such as Long Beach and Coachella have adopted ordinances like the Premium Pay for Grocery Workers Ordinance which requires large...