• News

Massachusetts Delays and Amends Paid Family and Medical Leave Law

Last week, the legislature and newly established Department of Family and Medical Leave made changes to the Paid Family and Medical Leave (“PFML”) law[1].  These changes delay many relevant dates under the PFML law, and also make some substantive changes. The amendments include the following: The start date for required PFML contributions is now October […]

Attorney Liz Valerio to Present at MMPA Boot Camp

Attorney Liz Valerio will present at the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association (MMPA) Human Resources Boot Camp on May 16, 2019.  Liz will discuss trends in municipal/labor law.

Supreme Judicial Court Sustains Exclusive Representation Under Massachusetts Collective Bargaining Law Despite Janus Decision

Federal Court Rules that Whether a Part-Time Assignment is a Reasonable Accommodation for a Full-Time Teacher with a Disability is Dependent on the Specific Facts

In a recent decision the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts has ruled that a request by a full-time teacher to work part-time for medical reasons may constitute a reasonable accommodation under the federal and Massachusetts statutes which bar discrimination against an employee with a qualifying disability. In Incutto v. Newton Public […]

Attorneys Liz Valerio and John Foskett to Present at MASBO Law Institute Workshop

Attorneys Liz Valerio and John Foskett will present at the Massachusetts School Business Officials (MASBO) Workshop on April 10, 2019. Liz and John will discuss hot topics in school law such as Hourly Employees, Social Media and Copyright Issues, Collective Bargaining, Budget Development and Budget Hearings, Revolving Accounts, Classroom Fundraising, Gifts and Grants, Uniform Grant […]

Attorneys Liz Valerio and Nick Dominello to Present at Annual MASPA Law Day

Attorneys Liz Valerio and Nick Dominello will present at the annual School Law Day conference of the Massachusetts Association of Personnel Administrators (MASPA) on March 1, 2019.  Liz and Nick will discuss public records requests and open meeting law complaints, educator and staff misconduct investigations and provide a brief update on issues associated with medical […]

Massachusetts Council of School Attorneys Annual Meeting

The Massachusetts Council of School Attorneys (COSA) held its annual meeting on December 7, 2018.  John Foskett was the Program Moderator and COSA Board of Directors President in 2018.  He also presented on a recent DLR Hearing Officer Decision and Commonwealth of Employment Relations Board Decision regarding a Massachusetts School District and the District’s rights […]

Superior Court Issues Ruling on the Merits of Constitutional Challenge to Natick’s Public Comment Policy

In June 2018 we reported that the Middlesex Superior Court had granted a preliminary injunction which enjoined the Natick School Committee from enforcing certain restrictions on public comment at school committee meetings which are set out in its public comment policy [see prior client advisory of 6-7-18]. On November 21, 2018 the court entered a […]

Upcoming Changes to Law Regarding Student Use of Tobacco

In July 2018, the Massachusetts Legislature passed “An Act Protecting Youth from the Health Risks of Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction” to reduce youth access and use of tobacco and nicotine products, including vaporizers. The legislation impacts individuals, businesses, government agencies, as well as educational institutions. The impacts to educational institutions, as outlined below, go into […]

Supreme Court Holds Age Discrimination in Employment Act Applies To All State And Local Governments

In an 8-0 decision issued this morning, the Supreme Court held in Mount Lemmon Fire District v. Guido et al., No. 17-587 (2018) that the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) applies to all state and local governments, regardless of  how many employees they have. In 2009, faced with a budget crisis, the Mount […]