The Education Reform Primer: A blog exploring the history of public school education in America By Matthew R. Plain Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of school children qualified for free or reduced-price lunches under the United States…
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Connecticut Rent and Eviction Updates
Update: The United States Supreme Court ended the national moratorium on evictions which was implemented by the CDC. The Federal Eviction Moratorium was meant to run through October 3, 2021, but with the ruling the federal moratorium has ended. The…
Important Massachusetts Open Meeting Law Change as State of Emergency Status is Lifted
As of June 15, 2021, Governor Baker has lifted the Massachusetts state of emergency order established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of this change, please take note that the Governor’s March 12, 2020 Executive Order suspending certain portions of…
International Prenuptial or Premarital Agreements
A premarital or prenuptial agreement is a written and binding agreement or contract between prospective spouses made in contemplation of marriage. To learn more about the basics of premarital or prenuptial agreements, please read my prior article entitled “Premarital, Prenuptial…
Premarital or prenuptial agreements in Rhode Island and Massachusetts: What You Need to Know
A premarital or prenuptial agreement is a written and binding agreement or contract between prospective spouses made in contemplation of marriage. To learn more about the basics of premarital or prenuptial agreements, please read my prior article, “Premarital, Prenuptial or…
Premarital, Prenuptial or Antenuptial Agreement: The Basics
What is a prenuptial or premarital agreement? A premarital, prenuptial, or antenuptial agreement is a written agreement or contract made between prospective spouses in contemplation of marriage. Generally, the agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of the parties in…
U.S. Department of Labor Proposes Rule Clarifying Employee v. Independent Contractor Status
On September 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposed a rule to clarify the definition of employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as compared to independent contractors. The DOL’s goal with the proposed rule is to…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Insurance Coverage for COVID-19 Business Interruptions
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic will be dramatic across the spheres of medicine, government, personal relations, and business. While some essential businesses stay open, closures and slowdowns are likely more the rule than the exception. Affected businesses will naturally…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Rhode Island Bridge Loan Program Helps Small Businesses and Nonprofits Awaiting CARES Act Funding
Through the CARES Act, the recent $2 trillion dollar coronavirus relief package passed by Congress, Rhode Island will receive $1.2 billion in SBA disaster loan funding. It may take weeks, however, before this money reaches Rhode Island’s small businesses and…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Contract and Creditor Considerations for Small Businesses and Non-Profits
As a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, myriad contracts, leases, and business relationships have been significantly impacted. Many of these contracts may have been fundamentally altered and require renegotiation, or may even no longer be binding. Contract Evaluation and…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): How Rhode Island’s Business Recovery Plan Can Help Small Businesses and Non-Profits Sustain the Pandemic
The Rhode Island Superior Court’s recently implemented COVID-19 Business Recovery Plan allows businesses to seek judicial assistance to restructure their obligations and operations relative to the pandemic. If COVID-19 has impacted your organization and you need: A court-approved plan that…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): How the CARES Act Can Help Small Businesses and Non-Profits Sustain the Pandemic
The historic $2 trillion dollar coronavirus relief package, officially known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides significant financial assistance and benefits to eligible Rhode Island and Massachusetts businesses and non-profits. If COVID-19 has impacted your…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): New York Charter Schools Special Education Q&A
Written by New York charter school attorney, Paul T. O’Neill, the following is a comprehensive question and answer about the guidance on special education law and regulations related to COVID-19 for New York city and state. The U.S. Department of…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): New York Charter Schools Employment Law Q&A
Written by New York charter school attorney, Lisa J. Holtzmuller, the following is a comprehensive question and answer analysis of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and New York Emergency Paid Sick Leave Legislation for New York charter schools. The…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Dept. of Education Allows States to Waive Standardized Tests – Impact on Rhode Island Schools
On March 20, 2020, Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, announced that states can bypass standardized testing for the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19. States that are unable to assess their students due to COVID-19 are invited to submit a…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Federal and New York State Education Update
Written by Paul T. O’Neill, this March 23, 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) education update provides a current status of all U.S. federal and New York state guidance for school districts, charter schools and private schools. FEDERAL Supplemental Fact Sheet on Special Education…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Dept. of Education Allows States to Waive Standardized Tests – Impact on Massachusetts Schools
On March 20, 2020, Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, announced that states can bypass standardized testing for the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19. States that are unable to assess their students due to COVID-19 are invited to submit a…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): New Federal Guidance for Online Therapy and Telehealth
Since moving to shut down their normal operations in response the coronavirus health emergency, many schools and districts have moved to online operations. That has led to a range of challenges, including some relating to the confidentiality of student information….
Coronavirus (COVID-19): A Message to our Clients and Friends
Based upon the most current information from public health experts concerning the response to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, and in keeping with recommendations and/or requirements issued by federal, state and local authorities, Barton Gilman is committed to doing everything possible…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): DOs and DON’Ts for Massachusetts Employers
The following Coronavirus (COVID-19) considerations for Massachusetts employers reflects the state and federal government’s guidance as of Monday morning, March 16, 2020. DO Apply preventive and response measures uniformly to all employees. Consider flexible work arrangements, including work-from-home or other…