Since the passage of reforms under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, health plans and plan administration have had to evolve plan documents and train staff on the requirements. This week’s Feature from CCH reports on a recent webcast sponsored by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans covering a review by experts on what reforms are currently in place, which ones will be forthcoming in the next few years, and how employers can prepare for them.

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This week’s Feature is a special report by HEC on a January 7, 2012 session on Employer and Employee Rights & Responsibilities sponsored by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, which had representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, and Homeland Security speak on the employer responsibilities on I-9 Form verification, and how to avoid national origin and immigration status discrimination.

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In addition to trying to survive in a tough economy, businesses should be mindful of other trends on the horizon. This week’s Feature from CCH News outlines the top trends that Shanti Atkins, Esq., president and CEO of ELT, says employers should absolutely have on their radar.

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The national health reform law has made its one year anniversary, and since then there have been numerous lawsuits, regulations, model notices, and other activities which have transpired. This week’s Feature from CCH News provides a recap for employers on the current state of affairs with the health reform law.

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Hawaii employers will have to open up their wallets under a law quietly signed by Governor Abercrombie on February 23 aimed at increasing the Employment and Training Fund assessment. This week’s Feature by HEC Assistant General Counsel Sheri-Ann Clark explains the impact of the increased assessment, which is effective retroactive to January 1, 2011.

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The Internal Revenue Service is encouraging small businesses to take advantage of tax-saving opportunities included in recently enacted federal legislation, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act and the Affordable Care Act. Read more

The U.S. Congress is considering legislation to extend eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits and subsidized COBRA through December 31, 2010; the same legislation also closes tax loopholes for wealthy investment fund managers and foreign operations of multi-national companies. Read more

The Department of Defense has published its final rule addressing protections for federal contractor employees who disclose information to government officials regarding waste, mismanagement, danger to public health or safety, Read more

Corporate lawyers are projecting a big year of litigation next year, reports the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP.

According to Fulbright’s 6th Annual Litigation Trends Survey of corporate law d Read more

The U.S. Dept. Read more

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle’s list of bills she will likely veto includes a number of bills that would be detrimental to local employers or businesses.

The list of intended vetoes includes legislation that wo Read more

A manager who was demoted after a voluntary polygraph showed “deception” on his part and who subsequently resigned can proceed with his lawsuit against the company for violations of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, a federal district court rules.

During an investigation into alleged employee misconduct, the manager was asked to submit to a voluntary polygraph test. Read more

The U.S. Dept. of Labor has issued its final rule aimed at protecting the personal privacy of laborers and mechanics employed on federal construction contracts under the Davis-Bacon Act and the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act.
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Although the Dept. Read more

A bill aimed at requiring private contractors and service providers receiving government funds to pay workers a “living wage” is likely to be pushed in the upcoming session of the State Legislature according to the Hawaii Democratic Party web Read more