News

Fall River

Obligations of County to Release Personal Health Information re COVID-19

  • P.J. Van Ert
Obligations of County to Release Personal Health Information re COVID-19 Question:  What information or obligation is the County under to release that person’s personal health information (PHI)? Response:   All of the “old” rules for disclosures, the laws and regulations governing public health, still apply.  In all scenarios, Counties must ONLY release the minimum necessary information for the disclosure. Also, an individual may provide authorization to disclose PHI. In that situation, Counties still...

Governor’s May 6, 2020 Executive Order Grants New Temporary Presumption of COVID-19 Disability Arising Out of and In the Course Of Employment

  • Gretchen Dugan
Governor’s May 6, 2020 Executive Order Grants New Temporary Presumption of COVID-19 Disability Arising Out of and In the Course Of Employment On May 6, 2020, Governor Newsom announced an Executive Order creating a temporary rule which applies to employees working between March 19, 2020 and July 4, 2020.   While the official order is not available yet, we want to provide the key highlights of the temporary rule:    1.  Creates a rebuttable presumption that employees who contract COVID-19 within 14...

Staff Spotlight - Stacey Woodard

  • Kim Pike
Staff Spotlight - Stacey Woodard Since the firm’s beginning in January, 2015, Ms. Stacey Woodard has effectively worked with the numbers: budgets, accounts receivable/payable, client billing and the all-important, payroll!  Originally a legal assistant, Stacey moved into bookkeeping to acquire a new skill set.  However, her tremendous foundation of how a law firm should function and operate has resonated throughout her time with Prentice|LONG PC....

Dependency Update: Drug Use is Not Always Drug Abuse (In Re J.A.)

  • Kelsey Walsh
Dependency Update:  Drug Use is Not Always Drug Abuse (In Re J.A.) Drug use while pregnant does not necessarily amount to drug abuse according to the Second District Court of Appeal.  The Second District Court of Appeal recently overturned a ruling by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which held that a mother’s use of medical marijuana during the last four months of her pregnancy, resulting in her child testing positive for...

CalPERS Set To Adopt Precedential Decision Regarding Retired Annuitants

  • David Prentice
CalPERS Set To Adopt Precedential Decision Regarding Retired Annuitants The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is considering making a precedential ruling requiring that a former public employee reimburse CalPERS in the amount of $56,244.46, which constitutes monies he received while working as a retired annuitant.  Assuming the ruling becomes precedential, it will be cited by CalPERS in subsequent retired annuitant cases.  Therefore, all public agencies need to understand...

Staff Spotlight - Michelle Fletcher

  • Kim Pike
Staff Spotlight - Michelle Fletcher You may recognize the familiar voice of Ms. Michelle Fletcher when contacting the law firm of Prentice|Long PC, as she has been part of the Legal Assistant team since its inception in January, 2015.  “I love the people I work with most of all, and the family atmosphere at the firm – we are always here for one another,” recalls Michelle.In...