By Attorney Miriam Van Heukelem On May 20, 2021, Iowa law was amended to generally prohibit schools from adopting, implementing, or enforcing mask rules for employees, students, or visitors, “unless…required by…any other provision of law.” See Iowa Code § 280.31. No guidance was issued prior to December 1 by the...
By Attorneys Aaron Hilligas, Ann Smisek and Elizabeth Heffernan On Friday, November 12, 2021, the panel for the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit issued a decision temporarily halting enforcement of the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) pending adequate judicial review. This decision further ordered that OSHA...
By Attorneys Aaron Hilligas, Ann Smisek and Elizabeth Heffernan On November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing. The ETS, which takes effect immediately upon publication, puts in place various requirements for employers pertaining to vaccination and...
Iowa Code Section 280.31, signed into law on May 20, 2021, prohibits public school districts from requiring masks or face coverings for employees, students, or visitors. As you are likely aware, a federal lawsuit challenging Iowa Code 280.31 was recently filed on behalf of a local disability rights organization and...
By Attorneys Mike Galloway, Ann Smisek and Elizabeth Heffernan On June 17, 2021, Governor Reynolds’ signed Senate File 342 into law. This bill, also known as the “Back the Blue” law, addresses many code sections and topics pertaining to police departments; however, this client alert focuses specifically on changes to...
By Attorneys Emily Kolbe and Rebecca Reif Whether student athletes should be paid has been a hotly debated issue for years. On June 21, the United States Supreme Court weighed in, issuing a lengthy decision in National College Athletic Association v. Alston. The Court was asked to decide whether the...
By Attorneys Carrie Weber and Elizabeth Heffernan Last week, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in Mahanoy Area School District v. Levy, a student free speech case involving important First Amendment issues for school districts. Primarily the case considered whether, and to what extent, public school officials may...
March 2020 seems so long ago, and yet just like it was yesterday. While COVID didn’t slow us down work-wise, it did reduce our ability to meet in person with our clients. As we continue to conduct business via Zoom and phone calls – we are excited to announce we...
By Attorney Lindsay Vaught Now that all adults are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, employers have questions surrounding their legal responsibilities when it comes to employees and vaccination. This Client Alert addresses some frequently asked questions and the current state of administrative guidance in this evolving area. Please note...
By Attorney Aaron Hilligas On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which took full effect on April 1, 2021. The ARPA is set to expire on September 30, 2021. Along with providing another round of stimulus checks to qualifying citizens, this $1.9 trillion package...
