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Remote Open Meeting Bill Remains Pending in Massachusetts Legislature

The Massachusetts state of emergency will lift at 12:01 am on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.  This will also render the current executive order permitting remote open meetings, “Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, § 20”, ineffective and void. On May 25, 2021, Governor Baker filed “An Act to Temporarily […]

Massachusetts Legislature Enacts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act

On May 28, 2021, the Massachusetts legislature passed “An Act Providing For Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave.”  The Act requires all private and public employers within Massachusetts to offer employees leave time for COVID-19 related issues. This mandate is in effect from May 28, 2021 until September 30, 2021, or the exhaustion of the […]

COVID-19 Update: Governor Baker Lifts State of Emergency; Massachusetts to Remove Majority of Restrictions

Governor Charlie Baker recently announced that effective May 29, 2021, the majority of Massachusetts’ COVID-19 restrictions will end. Specifically, Governor Baker announced that the current mask mandate will be removed and masks will be required only in certain settings: Childcare programs; K-12 public schools, special education schools, and as otherwise required by the Department of […]

Appeals Court Discusses Employer Due Process in MCAD Proceedings

On May 13, 2021, the Appeals Court issued a decision, 15 LaGrange Street Corporation, et al. v. Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, et al, (20-P-726) vacating a Superior Court decision finding that a Complainant properly claimed to be terminated on the basis of race which accordingly put the respective Respondents on notice of the claim. In […]

Liz Valerio and Nick Dominello to Present at 2021 Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (“MASBO”) and Massachusetts Association of School Personnel Administrators (“MASPA”) Annual Law Day

On Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Liz and Nick will present at the MASBO/MASPA Annual Law Day webinar.  Liz and Nick will be discussing trends in collective bargaining and COVID related concerns including vaccine rollout, remote learning options in the future and ongoing expectations for families and staff.

VDH Files Amicus Brief in First Circuit Case That Validates Maine Tuition Program

VDH attorney John Foskett worked with the National School Boards Association and the four state school boards located in the First Circuit and filed an amicus brief.  The plaintiffs claimed that Maine’s tuition assistance program violates the First Amendment’s bar on religious discrimination because, while it permits school districts that are unable to offer a […]

DESE Adopts New Student Learning Time Regulations

Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) approved emergency regulations relative to student learning time in light of hybrid and remote learning models.  Districts will be required to provide a certain amount of live and synchronous instruction to students. Effective January 19, 2021, 603 CMR 27.00 now requires that schools operating in […]

Labor and Employment Updates for 2021

Employers can expect several changes to come in 2021.  As detailed further below, there are many upcoming changes to federal and state laws that require employers be prepared. Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) In 2020, the federal government passed the FFCRA, which encompassed two acts providing leave time to certain employees impacted by COVID-19: […]

Four VDH Attorneys Named 2020 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Robert D. Hillman and John Foskett have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers for 2020 and Nicholas J. Dominello and Jennifer F. King have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars.  Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  This selection process […]

CERB Rules That Teachers Participated In Illegal Strike

The Commonwealth Employment Relations Board (“CERB”) recently issued a decision holding that Andover Public Schools teachers participated in an illegal strike in violation of G.L. c. 150E, § 9A when they refused to enter school buildings on the first work day of the school calendar for 2020-2021 and insisted instead on performing their work outside […]