As part of the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant program established in 2023, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office has awarded $8.55 million in grants to 16 local prosecutors. The purpose of these grants is to help local governments enforce labor laws, including wage payment violations and other employment practices illegal under state law. Usage of these grants is likely to result in an increased number of Read More
Class Achieves Partial Victory in United Mental Health Claims Battle
A California federal district court judge has entered judgment in part in favor of both a class of patients and United Behavioral Health (UBH) in a fight over coverage for mental health and substance abuse disorder treatments. The court found that UBH’s overly restrictive coverage guidelines breached fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The case is Wit et al. v. Read More
As Employers Struggle with Uncertain Tariffs, Pharmacy Benefits May Help Contain Costs
Employee benefits are one of the most expensive expenditures for employers, and the rate of pharmacy benefit spending is rapidly increasing. However, employers and workers can take steps to save money, which is even more crucial with tariffs currently causing widespread uncertainty. Digital Advances Facilitate Choice The traditional pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) model limits consumer knowledge about Read More
The GOP Tax Bill and Its Effect on Employee Benefits
The Republican tax and policy bill that President Donald Trump has now signed into law contains various provisions that affect attorneys who handle employee benefits and executive compensation. The major takeaways from the bill are as follows: No Changes to Existing Retirement and Health Tax Provisions The most recent budget reconciliation bill made no changes to existing individual and business tax provisions Read More
No Surprises Act Enforcement Could Assess Fines Up to $10,000
A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including five medical doctors, has introduced a bipartisan bill in the House to enforce provisions of the No Surprises Act. The bill could increase the maximum penalties for employer health plans for delayed payments from a No Surprises Act claim to $10,000. The current penalty is $100. Furthermore, the bill would require federal officials to annually report their work to ensure Read More
Lawmakers Criticize EBSA for Giving Information to Plaintiffs’ Attorneys
The House Education and the Workforce Committee’s Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions subcommittee was critical of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) divulging certain information to plaintiffs’ attorneys during a recent oversight meeting. EBSA reportedly shared information concerning enforcement investigations with attorneys representing benefits plan Read More
The Effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill on Employee Benefits
Congress has passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB)” and President Donald Trump has signed it into law. The OBBB contains multiple changes to employee benefits law, including in the areas of HSAs, dependent care FSAs, student loan repayment assistance, and “Trump accounts.” OBBB HSA Expansion Although the changes to health savings accounts (HSAs) are not as extensive as in the original House bill, the Read More
4 Appellate Arguments For Benefits Attys To Watch In Sept.
Law360 (August 29, 2025, 4:54 PM EDT) -- Yellow Corp. seeks to revive a $137 million breach dispute against the Teamsters at the Tenth Circuit, married retirees will ask the Eleventh Circuit to restart a pension conversion fight, and the en banc Fifth Circuit reconsiders a challenge to a rule implementing a 2020 surprise health billing law. Here are four appellate argument sessions in September that benefits Read More
Federal Court Invalidates EEOC Guidance on Harassment
A Texas federal district court has issued a ruling finding portions of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) enforcement guidance on harassment unlawful. More specifically, the Court held that the definition of “sex” in the guidance was too expansive insofar as it included sexual orientation or gender identity. The Court’s ruling has vacated those portions of the guidance Read More
Supreme Court Okays Mass Federal Workforce Layoffs
The U.S. Supreme Court recently gave the green light to the Trump administration to continue laying off large numbers of workers at 19 federal agencies and departments. While litigation over the issue is ongoing, the Court lifted a lower court ruling that temporarily blocked the layoffs. However, the justices noted that they were not deciding the legality of the layoffs or agency restructuring plans but were simply Read More
