Image by Alexey Hulsov from Pixabay On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, H.R. 133 (the “2021 Appropriations Act”). The President signed the legislation on December 27. The 2021 Appropriations Act authorizes $2.3 trillion in federal spending, including a… READ MORE
On May 1, Governor Baker issued an order mandating that people wear face coverings in public. The order, available here, is the governor’s latest measure responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The governor is acting pursuant to his authority under the public health statute (G.L. c. 17) and the Massachusetts… READ MORE
With the closure of non-essential businesses, stay-at-home orders, and social distancing in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the challenges and risks associated with meeting a notary in person has become a significant obstacle in many transactions – until now. During the Covid-19 state of emergency, documents may be notarized “remotely”… READ MORE
On April 16, 2020, the Suffolk Superior Court denied a bid by the recreational cannabis industry to stay open as “essential services” during the Coronavirus State of Emergency. The decision underscores the Governor’s broad powers during the State of Emergency and rejects the industry’s constitutional challenges to the Governor’s emergency… READ MORE
Image by wal_172619 from Pixabay April 12, 2020- Sections 4005 and 4114(b) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, H.R. 748 (the “CARES Act”) authorize the Department of Transportation to require an air carrier receiving CARES Act funding to maintain scheduled air… READ MORE
The Governor signed into law today Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020, which includes multiple provisions aimed at reducing burdens on municipalities and state agencies caused by the ongoing response to the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to extending the state tax return deadline to July 15, the bill has… READ MORE
Image by wal_172619 from Pixabay On March 29, 2019, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, H.R. 748 (the “CARES Act”) providing an unprecedented $2 trillion in aid to individuals, businesses and state and local government entities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. … READ MORE
Image by Alexey Hulsov from Pixabay Please click here to download a copy of the client alert. Update: U.S. Department of Labor Publishes Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Update: Department… READ MORE
Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay Responding to the COVID-19 outbreak demands navigating uncharted territory, not least of which for Massachusetts local governments. Cities and towns are making crucial public health decisions with complex effects like closing schools and prohibiting large gatherings of people. Meanwhile,… READ MORE
Image by GAD-BM from Pixabay A Superior Court judge confirmed that municipalities are not obligated to enter into Host Community Agreements (“HCA”) with recreational cannabis retailers. A prospective recreational cannabis retailer sued the City of Salem for refusing to enter an HCA with it. The… READ MORE