On October 1, 2003, a new Connecticut criminal law took effect targeting abuse of the elderly, blind, disabled and mentally retarded. Public Act No. 03-267 establishes a crime of abuse with penalties that are graduated according to the seriousness of the crime.

On December 19, 2025, New York's Governor signed into law the Fostering Affordability and Integrity Through Reasonable Business Practices Act ("FAIR Business Practices Act").

Effective October 1, 2004, registered nurses ("RNs") may sign the medical portion of a death certificate when they have been authorized to pronounce death of nursing home, hospice or home care patients. The new law, Public Act No. 04-255, An Act Concerning Funeral Directors and Vital Records, also permits advance practice nurses ("APRNs") and physician assistants ("PAs") to sign the medical portion of death certificates under certain circumstances.

Earlier this month, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois invalidated two patents for a menu comparison methodology, highlighting an important ruling for the patent community.

Health savings accounts have received a lot of media attention, but, so far, employers have been slow to embrace this new approach for providing health care coverage for employees. The basic concept involves a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), coupled with a tax-favored, portable individual health savings account (HSA) that allows individuals to save for future health care expenses.

Hiring household employees like nannies, caregivers, and housekeepers creates formal employer obligations that many families overlook. This guide examines the legal, tax, and compliance requirements that apply when bringing domestic workers into your home, from work authorization and payroll taxes to state-specific employment protections and insurance coverage.

From fiscal year 2020 to January 2025, the backlog of unexamined U.S. patent applications rose by approximately 45%, from 576,103 to 837,928.

On February 11, 2026, BIS announced a settlement agreement with Applied Materials Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California ("Applied Materials") and Applied Materials Korea, Ltd. ("AMK")...

The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 added a new rollover requirement for tax-qualified retirement plans that make involuntary cash-outs of small benefits. The Internal Revenue Service recently issued guidance on how that requirement should be administered.

A revocable trust is a flexible estate planning tool that allows you to manage and distribute your assets during your lifetime and after your death.

In January 2002, Congress enacted and President Bush signed the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. This statute, which EPA refers to as the "Brownfields Law," changed the liability picture for parties who face the potential for suit under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Liability, and Compensation Act, popularly known as CERCLA or Superfund (codified at 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 eq. seq.)

The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 added a new rollover requirement for tax-qualified retirement plans that make involuntary cash-outs of small benefits. The Internal Revenue Service recently issued guidance on how that requirement should be administered.

More than ten years after Congress enacted its expanded physician self-referral law known as Stark II, CMS has issued the long-awaited second phase of its two-part regulations implementing the law. Although issued in "interim" final form, thus providing for a 90-day comment period, the regulations will be effective on July 26, 2004.

The last stretch of 2025 saw significant developments in antitrust litigation involving algorithmic pricing and listing services in the real estate sector.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") recently issued Transmittal 183, effective July 1, 2004, to clarify the consolidated billing requirements that apply to skilled nursing facilities ("SNF") and the outside service entities ("OSE"), such as hospitals and rehabilitation providers, that serve SNF residents.

Recent publicity surrounding the United States Supreme Court's rejection of the mandatory United States Sentencing Guidelines (Guidelines) has caused some to question the continued importance of corporate compliance programs. Yet the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG) has sent a clear message to providers that compliance programs must remain strong.

In August, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 was signed into law. Despite its title, a substantial portion of the Act was not about pension reform, but about charitable giving matters and the regulation of non-profits. Other miscellaneous tax law changes were also enacted. Outlined below are highlights from the Act that may affect individuals’ estate and income tax planning.

Effective October 1, 2005, same sex couples in Connecticut will be able to obtain legal recognition as members of a civil union. Under the new law, "[p]arties to a civil union shall have all the same benefits, protections and responsibilities under law, whether derived from the general statutes, administrative regulations or court rules, policy, common law or any other source of civil law, as are granted to spouses in a marriage . . . ."

Federal cannabis policy is entering a period of transition. Executive action toward federal rescheduling under the Controlled Substances Act, ongoing constitutional litigation, and congressional efforts to amend the federal...

If you are a lobbyist, do business or plan to do business with the State of Connecticut, or own or work for a business with a registered political action committee ("PAC"), you should be aware of sweeping new campaign finance reform provisions that take effect on December 31, 2006.