On August 19, 2021, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (the “Commission”) published its long-awaited first set of Personal Use Cannabis Rules (the “Initial Rules”) regarding recreational cannabis use for adults age 21 and over under the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (“NJCREAMMA”).  These Initial Rules largely address licensing standards for cannabis businesses and equity and safety issues in the new marketplace.  Significantly, however, the Initial Rules do not provide…

As the Delta variant of COVID-19 rapidly spreads across the country and offices continue to reopen with the close of summer, questions around mandatory vaccination policies are on the rise.  On the heels of federal and local public employers enacting workplace vaccination policies, many private employers are now deciding to enact mandatory vaccination policies or highly encouraged vaccination policies where employees who refuse to get vaccinated are required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing or follow…

On August 16, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio executed Emergency Executive Order 225 (“EO 225”) effectuating the recently announced “Key to NYC” vaccination requirement for indoor entertainment, recreation, dining, and fitness establishments.  On that same day, New York City issued a summary of the new law and Frequently Asked Questions concerning the requirements as well. While EO 225 goes into effect on August 17, 2021, enforcement of its requirements will not begin until September 13,…

On July 8, 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed three (3) bills into law aimed at further penalizing employers for misclassifying employees as independent contractors. New Jersey employers that engage in employee misclassification are now subject to increased fines, new legal enforcement actions, and stop-work orders.  These new laws build upon previous initiatives and laws promulgated to eliminate employee misclassification, which has long been a priority of Governor Murphy’s administration. According to the Governor’s…

New York continues to move forward rapidly into a post-COVID world. First, on June 11, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation to amend the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (“HERO Act”) to clarify certain obligations and deadlines for employers to comply with this new law. Second, on June 15, 2021, New York lifted the COVID-19 restrictions and New York Forward industry guidance after hitting the benchmark of 70 percent (70%) of all New York…

On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued updated guidance regarding workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies and employee accommodations (the “Updated Guidance”).  Among other issues, the Updated Guidance clarifies some significant questions that employers have been facing regarding mandatory vaccination policies, vaccine incentive programs, and reasonable accommodations available for both vaccinated and unvaccinated employees. Mandatory Vaccination Policies So long as certain requirements are met (see more on accommodation requirements below), the Updated Guidance…