Newsline

Final Regulations Issued on Summary of Benefits and Coverage

On Feb. 14, the Departments of Treasury, Labor and Health and Human Services issued final regulations regarding the summary of benefits and coverage and the uniform glossary for group health plans and health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets. The final regulations are effective April 16, 2012. READ MORE

ABC Critical Of OFCCP Proposal On Hiring Of Disabled Workers

ABC on Feb. 21 filed comments with the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) in response to a proposed rule that would set a national hiring goal for federal contractors to employ workers with disabilities, in addition to requiring greatly increased recordkeeping and affirmative action steps. Under the proposal, OFCCP would mandate federal contractors to set a goal of having persons with disabilities comprise at least 7 percent of their workforces. OFCCP is also considering an additional goal of having at least 2 percent of federal contractors’ employees comprised of persons with “certain particularly severe” disabilities. 
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FAQs About Certain Provisions In PPACA Now Available

The Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury in February issued a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding automatic enrollment, employer shared responsibility, and waiting periods under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). READ MORE

ABC Supports Legislation That Would Block 'Ambush' Elections

ABC praised the introduction of H.J. Res. 103 to the U.S. House of Representatives and S. J. Res. 36 to the U.S. Senate. Both pieces of legislation use the Congressional Review Act to block the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) “ambush” election rule. 
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USDA Withdraws Procurement Rule Reminiscent of Clinton-Era Blacklisting Policy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it is withdrawing a Dec. 1 direct final rule that would have altered the USDA’s procurement policies to require federal contractors to certify that they, as well as their subcontractors and suppliers, were in compliance with all applicable labor laws. 
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OSHA 2012 Agenda Lists Actions On I2P2, Confined Spaces, And Silica

In the Department of Labor (DOL) 2012 regulatory agenda released in January, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) listed action items on Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (I2P2); confined spaces in construction; crystalline silica exposure limits; and walking work surfaces; among other issues.
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ABC-Led Coalition Advances Lawsuit Against NLRB “Ambush" Election Rule

The ABC-led Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), along with co-plaintiff U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Feb. 3 filed a motion in federal court seeking summary judgment in a lawsuit to overturn the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) “ambush election” rule. 
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Indiana Governor Signs Right-To-Work Bill

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) Feb. 1 signed into law a new right-to-work bill that will protect all workers in the state from being forced to pay union dues as a requirement of employment. Daniels signed the bill hours after it was passed by the Indiana legislature and ABC immediately expressed its support for the action. 
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