Legislative Updates & Briefings

December 2008

• AB 2738 Includes New Requirements For Public Works Wrap-up Insurance Programs - This briefing outlines a new requirement on public works wrap-up contracts.
• Family and Medical Leave Act Changes, Part I: Military Family Leave Regulations - This briefing describes upcoming family and medical leave changes.
• ^UPDATED Mental Health Parity Act Questions & Answers - This briefing compiles the most popular questions and answers in regards to the Mental Health Parity Act.
• IVOS System Conversion for Property & Liability Claims Administration - This briefing provides an important announcement of our upcoming January claim system conversion to iVOS.
• Department of Industrial Relations 2008/2009 Self-Insured Assessment Rates - This briefing provides important information regarding assessments
• Wildfires: How Keenan Can Help You - This briefing outlines ways Keenan can you help you if a disaster has occurred.
• Limitation Period for Childhood Sexual Abuse Claims is Extended - This briefing discusses a bill which changes the California Tort Claims Act written claim requirement for persons alleging damages as a result of childhood sexual abuse.

November 2008

• 2009 Benefit Limits for Health & Welfare Plans - This briefing details some of the 2009 Federal and State limits for health and welfare plans.
• Mental Health Parity Act is Now Permanent as of January 1, 2009 - This briefing summarizes the new law, which will mandate greater parity for mental health benefits in the group health plans that offer them.
• Workers’ Compensation Internet Report Enhancements - Keenan is excited to announce several enhancements to the workers’ compensation client internet reports. Based on feedback from our clients, The Workers’ Compensation Internet Reports will now consist of eight reports.

October 2008

• Americans With Disabilities Act: 2008 Amendments Clarify Standards and Scope - This briefing discusses the recently passed changes to the Americans With Disabilities Act.
• New Medicare Secondary Payer Requirements Take Effect January 1, 2009 - This briefing discusses the New Medicare Secondary Payer requirements.
• Workers’ Compensation Bills Vetoed but Employer Assessments to Increase - This briefing contains important updates with respect to workers' compensation legislation and increases to the "Workers' Compensation Administration Revolving Fund Assessment.
• Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs $145 Billion State Budget - Details on the budget and some of its effects on public entities, schools and healthcare providers are discussed.
• Round-up of Health Benefit Mandate Bills Considered by the Legislature and Governor - This briefing outlines the outcomes of each of the health insurance benefit mandate bills.

September 2008

• Review of Health Benefit Mandate Bills Considered by the Legislature - This briefing reviews and comments on Health Benefit Bills being considered by the Legislature.

July 2008

• Genetic Information Antidiscrimination Act Extends HIPAA Provisions for Group Health Plans - This briefing describes a new law that prohibits discrimination in health insurance and employment based on a person's genetic information.
• Brown Act Amendments Codify Prohibition of “Serial Meetings” - This briefing gives the background on a bill that amends the Brown Act and describes the new law.

June 2008

• Heroes Act Amends Benefits For Employees Called Into Military Service - This briefing outlines the provisions of the new Heroes Act, which extends the federal Mental Health Parity Act, and gives military reservists called to active duty greater rights of access to their retirement and other benefits plans.
• Review of Health Benefit Mandate Bills Under Legislative Consideration
• California Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Ruling: Potential Employer Impacts - Observations and suggestions for employers on the impact of the Same-Sex Marriage Ruling.
• CMS Issues E-Prescribing Standards for Medicare D - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued e-prescribing standards for Medicare D. This briefing describes these new standards.
• Updated Guidance and Fact Sheet Issued on Qualified Default Investment Alternatives (QDIA) - This briefing provides an overview on some of the facts of Qualified Default Investment Alternatives (QDIA).

May 2008

• School District Athletic Team Insurance Coverage Requirements Clarified - This briefing clarifies the extent of school districts' obligations to provide health insurance to members of school athletic teams.
• Enhancements to Ultra ClaimsONLINE (UCO) Application for Reporting Form 5020 - This briefing details some of the new enhancements of UCO.
• California’s May Budget Revisions Likely to Impact Employer Assessments - This briefing outlines proposed budget revisions that, if approved, will increase self-insured assessments.
• Workers’ Compensation Legislative Update - This briefing discusses several workers' compensation bills that have been amended.

April 2008

• State Grants Still Available for GASB Plans - This briefing discusses the availability of grants for GASB.
• Measures Considered to Extend Federal Mental Health Parity Act - This briefing discusses extending the Mental Health Parity Act.
• HIPAA Guidance on Wellness Program Nondiscrimination Compliance - This briefing addresses compliance issues that surround wellness programs.

March 2008

• Workers’ Compensation Legislative Update - This briefing outlines bills with the potential to significantly impact cost.
• Family and Medical Leave Act March 2008 New Regulations Summary - This briefing provides an update on the Family and Medical Leave Act.

February 2008

• Military Family Leave Questions - This briefing poses a series of specific questions on the Family and Medical Leave Act.

• Health Care Reform Bill Dies in Senate Committee - This briefing provides an overview of the Health Care Reform Bill.

January 2008

• Expanded Leave Benefits for Servicemember - This briefing discusses two new categories of FMLA Leave.

• Health Plans Begin to Establish Language Assistance Programs - This briefing discusses regulatory requirements and deadlines in order to be compliant with the California enacted Senate Bill 853.

• New EEOC Rule Expands Employer Flexibility In Providing Retiree Health Coverage - This briefing discusses how the EEOC ruling will affect retiree health coverage.

• New Law Imposes Greater Protection of Social Security Numbers - This briefing outlines what public entities are required to do when handling documents with social security numbers.

• Pension Protection Act Regulations For Defined Contribution Plans - This briefing outlines some of the recent guidance, new regulations and several other aspects of the PPA of interest to 403(b) and 457 plan sponsors.

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