http://www.elinfonet.com/starticles/39 Articles discussing workplace law in Pennsylvania. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:11:46 EST en-us http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2832 Article: 2832 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On June 10, 2009, Pennsylvania enacted a Mini-COBRA law. The law, which became effective on July 10, 2009, requires insurers to provide continued group medical plan coverage to certain employees (and their dependents) who work for small Pennsylvania companies that otherwise would lose their group plan coverage. As a consequence of Pennsylvania's Mini-COBRA law, eligible individuals (1) will be able to continue group plan medical benefits coverage (at their own cost) for up to nine months, and, (2) in some cases, take advantage of the 65 percent premium subsidy provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which generally apply to employees who were involuntarily terminated from employment between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009. Insurers must notify employers of these new provisions by August 24, 2009, and thereafter must include these provisions in all new policies and renewals. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2747 Article: 2747 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”) amended the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) to provide a federal premium subsidy for certain individuals who lose group health coverage in connection with an involuntary termination of employment on or after September 1, 2008. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2742 Article: 2742 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Pennsylvania has adopted a "mini-COBRA" law which covers group health insurance policies offered to employees of small employers. The new law protects employees who are not covered by the health coverage continuation rules imposed by COBRA at the federal level. Generally, insured group health plans offered by Pennsylvania employers with between two and 19 employees now must provide continuation of health insurance coverage under its group health insurance plans under circumstances similar to those set forth in the federal health coverage continuation rules frequently referred to as COBRA. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2718 Article: 2718 Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act passed by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 2008, takes effect on July 1, 2009. The act requires all contractors who (i) perform at least $5,000 worth of "home improvements" per year and (ii) are not large retailers with a net worth of at least $50 million, to register with the Attorney General's Office, as well as meet the other requirements of the Act applicable to their consumer contracts and advertising materials. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2582 Article: 2582 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Despite strong opposition from the business community, beginning January 5, 2009, a Philadelphia ordinance will require employers in the city to give unpaid leave to employees who need time off for reasons related to sexual assault or domestic violence, including stalking. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2483 Article: 2483 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On October 9, 2008, Governor Rendell signed into law the Prohibition of Excessive Overtime in Health Care Act, making Pennsylvania the latest state to prohibit or limit mandatory overtime for health care employees. Effective July 1, 2009, the law prohibits health care facilities from requiring employees to work in excess of an agreed to, predetermined and regularly scheduled daily work shift. Employers also will be prohibited from retaliating against employees who refuse to work in excess of the Act’s limitations. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2445 Article: 2445 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) The time has come for most workplaces and public places in Pennsylvania to become smoke-free environments. The Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act (the “Act”) went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2008. Pennsylvania now joins 32 other states in enacting anti-smoking laws designed to protect their residents from passive, secondhand smoke. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2339 Article: 2339 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) The State of Pennsylvania has enacted a new law banning smoking in the workplace and most enclosed public places. Governor Ed Rendell has signed the Clean Indoor Air Act (the “Act”), and employers in the state have until September 11, 2008, to come into compliance. Once the law takes effect, smoking—or allowing others to smoke—in a public place that is subject to the ban will be punishable by civil and criminal penalties ranging from $250 to $1,000. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2285 Article: 2285 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On June 11, 2008, the Pennsylvania Senate approved a statewide ban on smoking in public places, including workplaces. Governor Rendell signed The Clean Indoor Air Act (the "Act") on June 13, 2008. The Act becomes effective September 11, 2008. Below is a brief overview of the Act, the new requirements for employers, and tips for employers to follow in order to comply with the new nonsmoking obligations. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2102 Article: 2102 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Pennsylvania legislators have been busy drafting comprehensive legislation to overhaul the state’s mine safety law. The nearly 100-page long product of their efforts is Senate Bill 949. S.B. 949 was introduced in Harrisburg on January 11th. It is reportedly a collaborative effort that enjoys the support of a number of vital constituencies – miners, operators and regulators within the Rendell Administration.