Effective July 1, 2008, California joins Connecticut, the
District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, and some local
jurisdictions in prohibiting the use of handheld mobile phones
while driving. The California Wireless Telephone
Automobile Safety Act prohibits the use of cell phones in
moving vehicles unless the driver is using a hands-free
device.1 In addition, drivers under the age of
18 are prohibited from using cellular phones while operating a
motor vehicle, even if equipped with a hands-free
device.2
In its findings, the California Legislature acknowledges
that there are significant safety benefits associated with the
availability of wireless communication technologies, including
providing assistance that helps saves lives and minimizes
property damage.3 In fact, on a daily basis,
California drivers make thousands of emergency 911 calls from
...
Specific Questions relating to this article should be addressed directly to the author.
An update on the recent statistics published by NERA, the employment law watchdog tasked with ensuring that employers comply with their employment law obligations.
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued new rules requiring disclosure of information in connection with services provided to ERISA-covered employee benefit plans.
The Department of Labor ("DOL") issued a fact sheet in July 2010 to aid employers in complying with the recent federal law that requires employers to (1) provide reasonable break times to express breast milk, and (2) provide a private location to express breast milk.
During the past several months, several significant federal labor and employment laws have been enacted into law. In addition, legislation currently pending in Congress will have an impact on employers, if enacted.
In an opinion written by Chief Judge Toussaint, the Minnesota Court of Appeals recently reemphasized the importance for employers to have a well-drafted and clearly written employment handbook in order to avoid uncertainty and potential liability.
Trustees of occupational pension schemes now have a statutory duty to ensure that they have an adequate knowledge and understanding of the legal issues relevant to their scheme.
On August 31, 2010, just in time for Labor Day, New York Governor David Paterson signed into law the "Domestic Workers Bill of Rights" ("Bill of Rights").
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has narrowed its Site-Specific Targeting primary inspection list to 4,100 workplaces with high rates of workplace injuries.
The Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) has commenced verification of information contained in nonimmigrant visa petitions received from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
On August 16, 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the United States District Court for the District of Arizona's grant of summary judgment in favor of former employer Executive Jet Management ("Executive Management") against three former employees Gregory Hawn, Michael Prince and Aric Aldrich ("Plaintiffs") on their Title VII sex discrimination claims.
