4TH CIRCUIT RULES ADA AND PDA DO NOT REQUIRE LIGHT DUTY

The United States Court Of Appeals for The Fourth Circuit has ruled that neither the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) nor the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) requires an employer to provide light duty to a pregnant employee. The wording of the employer’s corporate policy was a key element in the decision.

COLORADO APPROVES CIVIL UNIONS

Colorado has joined 8 other states that have civil union laws or similar arrangements.  Additionally, 9 states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage.

PROPOSED REGULATIONS ON 90-DAY WAITING PERIOD PLUS GOOD NEWS

The Internal Revenue Service, the Employee Benefits Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have proposed regulations on the 90-day waiting period limitation and technical amendments to certain health coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The ACA provides that a group health plan shall not apply any waiting period that exceeds 90 days. 

CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT RULES ON DISCRIMINATION CASE

A bus driver alleged that she was fired by the City of Santa Monica because of her pregnancy in violation of the prohibition on sex discrimination in California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The Supreme Court held that under the FEHA, when a jury finds that unlawful discrimination was a substantial factor motivating a termination of employment, and when the employer proves it would have made the same decision absent such discrimination, a court may not award damages, back pay, or an order of reinstatement.

THE REGULATIONS JUST KEEP ON COMING

FAQS ABOUT AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IMPLEMENTATION

The Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury have released more answers to frequently asked questions about Affordable Care Act Implementation, addressing who must comply with limitations on cost-sharing and clarifying coverage of certain preventive services.