LIEB BLOG

Legal Analysts

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Supreme Court Permits Biden's Healthcare Vaccine Mandate

All healthcare facilities that receive Medicare and/or Medicaid funding must ensure that their covered saff are vaccinated against COVID after the Supreme Court stayed injunctions that were preventing the implementation of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Interim Final Rule.


To be clear, the rule does not cover those healthcare workers with medical and religious exemptions and those who telework full-time. 


In permitting the mandate to be implemented, the Supreme Court found exactly what it said was lacking in the OSHA vaccine mandate case, to wit: specific language in a statute authorizing Biden's Executive Branch to impose a mandate. 


According to the Court, the core mission of the Department of Health and Human Services "is to ensure that the healthcare providers who care for Medicare and Medicaid patients protect their patients’ health and safety." In fact, the Court found that “infection prevention and control program designed . . . to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections” are precisely within the Department's charge. 


In addressing its divergent opinions, between OSHA and Healthcare, the Supreme Court explained:


The challenges posed by a global pandemic do not allow a federal agency to exercise power that Congress has not conferred upon it. At the same time, such unprecedented circumstances provide no grounds for limiting the exercise of authorities the agency has long been recognized to have.



 

Supreme Court Stays OSHA Vaccine or Mask / Test Mandate

In staying the OSHA vaccine mandate, the Supreme Court wrote "that the Secretary lacked authority to impose the mandate."


As the Court explained "permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily life—simply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clock—would significantly expand OSHA’s regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization." The problem, as set forth by the Supreme Court, was that the mandate was indiscriminately applied. However, and to be CLEAR, the problem was not that it was unconstitutional, violated federalism, or anything else. 


The Supreme Court did not rule that either:

  • The Federal Government cannot issue a nationwide vaccine mandate; or 
  • Biden's Executive Branch cannot issue a nationwide vaccine mandate. 

Instead, it ruled that Congress did not grant OSHA the power to issue a nationwide vaccine mandate for all employers with 100 or more workers. 

In fact, the concurring opinion set it simply, "that power rests with the States and Congress, not OSHA."  


That is not to say OSHA has no power to regulate workplaces with respect to COVID. The Court carefully said OSHA does have power by writing that it was "not [] say[ing] OSHA lacks authority to regulate occupation-specific risks related to COVID–19. Where the virus poses a special danger because of the particular features of an employee’s job or workplace, targeted regulations are plainly permissible." As such, the Supreme Court invited a new mandate to be issued by OSHA and suggested that it targets COVID researchers or risks associated with crowded / cramped environments. 


As the concurring opinion explained, this case was decided on the Major Questions Doctrine, "'[w]e expect Congress to speak clearly' if it wishes to assign to an executive agency decisions 'of vast economic and political significance.'" Here, Congress did not clearly grant OSHA the power to do make this indiscriminate mandate. 


The fact that they didn't doesn't mean that they can't. Should Congress authorize OSHA now? 




NYS Eviction Moratorium Is Over January 15, 2022, ... Sort Of

The NYS eviction moratorium will end on January 15, 2022. 

But, after January 15, 2022, landlords are still going to face big obstacles if they want to evict residential tenants because of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program ("ERAP"). 


To evict under ERAP, a landlord is required to demonstrate that their tenant: 

  1. Intentionally caused significant damage to the property;
  2. Engaged in nuisance behavior or behavior that poses a safety hazard to others (landlord will have to provide specific instances and show that the behavior occurred more than one time);
  3. Tenant owes rent prior from to the pandemic that was not covered by ERAP funding; 
  4. Owes rent after receipt of ERAP funding; or 
  5. Tenant doesn't qualify for ERAP because:
    • Income is above 80 percent of the area medium income ("AMI") for federal program or Income is above 120 percent for NYS program;
    • A member of the household did not experience significant costs or a financial hardship due to COVID;
    • Tenant has paid rent and there are no rental arrears owed on or after March 13, 2020; or
    • The household is not at risk of homelessness. 
Without making the above demonstration, tenants that applied for ERAP will be safe from eviction for another year. 

Landlords should therefore consider this checklist carefully before proceeding. While the moratorium is over on Saturday, landlords are still prevented from evicting many tenants and if they do evict, their costs are going to increase to prove that they can evict in the face of ERAP.  




Wednesday, January 12, 2022

NY Real Estate Salesperson & Brokers | Updates To Continuing Education Requirements in 2022

If you are a NY Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Broker, or Associate Broker - CE Requirements are changing in 2022. There are new topics required for license renewal.  Lieb School is in the final stages of getting the newest topic of Cultural Competency licensed and will update the course catalog in the next few weeks. We have all other topics available on our course catalog

What are the Continuing Education requirements for real estate agents in NY?

As of 7/1/2021. All licensees must receive 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2 years to stay licensed. NY Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons that were previously exempt from Continuing Education will no longer be exempt and will need to have completed the full CE requirements, including the new subjects prior to submitting a renewal on or after 7/1/2021. The 22.5 hours must include:

  • 3 hours on fair housing &/or discrimination
  • 2.5 hours on ethical business practices
  • 1 hour on recent legal matters governing the practice of real estate brokers and salespersons in New York, which may include statutes, laws, regulations, rules, codes, Department of State Opinions and Decisions, and Court Decisions
  • 1 hour on the law of agency (2 hours in the initial 2-year cycle)

As of 4/20/2022: All licensees must receive 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2 years to stay licensed. The 22.5 hours must include the following topics:

  • 3 hours on fair housing &/or discrimination
  • 2.5 hours on ethical business practices
  • 1 hour on recent legal matters governing the practice of real estate brokers and salespersons in New York, which may include statutes, laws, regulations, rules, codes, Department of State Opinions and Decisions, and Court Decisions
  • 1 hour on the law of agency (2 hours in the initial 2-year cycle)
  • 2 hours on Cultural Competency

As of 6/19/2022: All licensees must receive 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2 years to stay licensed. The 22.5 hours must include the following topics:

  • 3 hours on fair housing &/or discrimination
  • 2.5 hours on ethical business practices
  • 1 hour on recent legal matters governing the practice of real estate brokers and salespersons in New York, which may include statutes, laws, regulations, rules, codes, Department of State Opinions and Decisions, and Court Decisions
  • 1 hour on the law of agency (2 hours in the initial 2-year cycle)
  • 2 hours on Implicit Bias Awareness and Understanding
  • 2 hours on Cultural Competency



Monday, January 10, 2022

New Rules Protecting Federal Employees from Employment Discrimination Published

Since 2021, federal employees have been protected from workplace discrimination by the Elijah E. Cummings Federal Employee Anti-Discrimination Act of 2020, which added protections, notice, and reporting to the No FEAR Act.


To implement the Cummings Act, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published proposed rules on January 6, 2022, which are currently in the public comment period. 


These rules include:  

  • Whistleblower and retaliation protections;
  • Notice of findings of intentional acts of discrimination to be made on a publically accessible internet page;
  • Agencies to submit annual reports to the Director of OPM;
  • Agencies to submit disciplinary action reports to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC);
  • Agency employees found to have intentionally committed discriminatory acts, including retaliation, will have notations of the discriminatory acts added to the employee's personnel record;
  • New public disclosure obligations; and
  • Federal agencies to add new trainings for all employees about their rights and remedies under law.


The comment period ends on 2/07/2022 and then, these rules will be finalized to become effective. 


Suffolk County Renters: BEWARE!

Suffolk County renters: BEWARE! Those looking to rent in Suffolk County, New York should proceed with caution when searching for a rental home. 


In an effort to protect Suffolk County tenant/residents from rental fraud, the County Legislature has amended Local Law No. 30-2021. Rental fraud is committed when a person or entity leases a residential or commercial property to another, when that person or entity does not have an ownership interest in the property or authorization from the owner to lease the property. Properties that are vacant or foreclosed upon are typically the kinds of properties that are used for rental fraud. 


The law now states that "persons seeking to rent or lease real property MAY [emphasis added] demonstrate ... ownership interest or authorization to rent, lease or sublet real property." Ownership interest for real property can be demonstrated to a potential tenant via a fully signed and valid deed or a fully signed lease agreement. Similarly, a person can demonstrate they have authorization from the property owner to rent or lease the property by providing a potential tenant with proof of agency. 


The problem with this new law is that the Legislature does not actually require those looking to lease out their real property to prove that they are indeed the owner of the property. If the Legislature actually wants to protect potential tenants from rental fraud, they need to revise this law immediately and require that persons seeking to rent out real property provide proof of ownership or agency authorization incident to such rental.


Those who commit rental fraud and are caught will face penalties subject to a fine of up to $1,000.00 and/or up to six months imprisonment. Do you think the punishment fits the crime? 


In the meantime, potential tenants can and should take additional steps to protect themselves where the Legislature has fallen short. As rental fraud has become a hot topic in Suffolk, potential tenants should do their research, as well as request proof of ownership from those who are leasing properties. If a lessor refuses or cannot provide proof of ownership or agency authorization, it may be best to continue the house hunt.




Consumer Debt Interest Rate Reduced in 2022

Starting on April 30, 2022, the annual interest rate on money judgments arising out of consumer debt will be reduced from 9% to 2%.


The new law amends New York Civil Practice Laws and Rules §5004.


It's important to note that if the previous 9% interest rate applied to an ongoing judgment, the creditor has up to sixty (60) days from 4/30/2022 to issue and amend the interest rate to 2%. Any money collected in excess of the judgment amount shall be returned to the debtor. However, if the money was collected prior to 4/30/2022 to satisfy the debt in in full or in part, then the debtor has no right to a refund or remedy.



New Workers' Compensation Law Allows for Attorneys' Fees

A new law seeks to reduce bias against injured workers in low-income brackets who cannot afford attorneys' fees.


New York's Workers’ Compensation law has been amended to include awarding attorneys’ fees for the following services:

  • 1/3rd of one week’s compensation for awards made directing the continuation of weekly compensation benefits for temporary total or partial disability;

  • 15% of the increased compensation when an award is made that increases the amount of compensation awarded or paid for a previous period(s) of temporary total or partial disability;

  • 15% of the compensation due in excess of the employers/carrier’s previous payments when an award is made for loss of use or permanent facial disfigurement;

  • 15% of the compensation due in excess of the employer or carrier’s previous payments plus a sum equivalent to 15 weeks of compensation when an award is made for permanent total disability or permanent partial disability;

  • 15% of the compensation due in excess of the employer/carrier’s previous payments plus a sum equivalent to 15 weeks of compensation when an award is made for death benefits; and

  • 15% of any benefits to be paid by the employers/carrier when an award is made under a waiver agreement.


The law became effective on 12/31/2021. 


Friday, January 07, 2022

Legal Analysis Podcast on Today's Supreme Court Hearings

Tuesday, January 04, 2022

NYS Adopts Sick Leave Rules & Leave Many Employers with Questions

New York State has adopted Sick Leave requirements for employers to follow under NY Labor Law § 196-b. With the new rule having become effective on 12/22/21, employers and their HR teams need to get up to speed quickly. 


The new rule requires employers of 3 different categorical sizes to provide a minimum number of paid sick leave hours for employees depending on the size of the employer and its net income. 


The rule does the following:

  • Establishes standards of how employees shall accrue sick leave at a rate of no less than 1 hour per every 30 hours worked; 
  • Protects employees from having to disclose confidential health information to employers as a condition to taking sick leave; 
  • Sets up conditions for employees carrying over unused sick leave over to the following calendar year; 
  • Creates protections to prevent employers from retaliating/discriminating against employees for exercising his/her sick leave rights; 
  • Requires employers to provide written records of sick leave accrual upon employee request; 
  • Requires that employees returning from sick leave be restored to their position prior to the sick leave with the same pay & other terms / conditions of employment; & 
  • Allows for collective bargaining agreements to be entered into that provides for paid sick leave. 


Before the rule became effective, employers commented and expressed their concerns, under the regulatory process, and the government's responses have clarified the following facts:

  • Newer employees will abuse sick leave because the rules allow employees to immediately use sick leave upon accrual; 
  • Carrying over unused sick leave days to following years is problematic (per DOL, employers may either: (1) give employees the option to voluntarily elect to use & receive payment for paid sick leave prior to the end of a calendar year or carry over unused sick leave; or (2) only allow employees to carry over unused sick leave);
  • Conflicts can arise between sick leave requirements and other leave policies if not clarified in the employer's policy manual;
  • Employee abuse systems need to be in place within an employer's policy manual or issues will arise; and
  • Collective bargaining agreements need to be addressed to comply with the new rule.


This new sick leave rule will continue to raise concerns by employers and employees, but proactive employees with great policy manuals / collective bargaining agreements, which have been updated to reflect the new rule will win the day. Otherwise, there are going to be a lot of discrimination and retaliation claims when sick leave issues arise.