News

Adopts ‘More Targeted Approach’ to Site Visits U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced several new measures it will implement to identify employers deemed to be abusing the H-1B visa program. New Measures Effective immediately, USCIS will take a “more targeted approach” when making site visits across the country to H-1B petitioners and the […]

Rule Previously Became Effective on January 18, 2017 President Trump has signed into law House Joint Resolution 83, which repeals the “Volks Rule,” an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule which imposed on employers continuing obligations to make and maintain accurate records of recordable injuries and illnesses. The rule previously became effective on January […]

Requirements Generally Apply to Plans Offered in Individual and Small Group Markets Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its corresponding regulations, non-grandfathered health plans offered in the individual and small group health insurance markets are generally required to cover a core package of items and services known as “essential health benefits.” (This requirement does […]

Certain Contractors Must Establish Hiring Benchmarks for Protected Veterans The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has posted a new annual benchmark for use by contractors required to establish a hiring benchmark for protected veterans under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). The new annual benchmark is 6.7%. Background VEVRAA regulations require […]

New Regulations Effective July 1, 2017 The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has released final regulations, effective July 1, 2017, that address employers’ consideration of criminal history in employment decisions under the state Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Background The FEHA prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment because of the race, […]

2016 Employer Annual Reporting Form Now Available Employers covered by San Francisco’s Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) and/or the Fair Chance Ordinance (FCO) are required to submit the 2016 Employer Annual Reporting Form to the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement by May 1, 2017.  Coverage Employers may determine whether they are required to submit the […]

Model Notices Previously Set to Expire on March 31, 2017 The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has extended the effective date of its model Health Insurance Exchange Notices through April 30, 2017. Previously, these model notices were set to expire on March 31, 2017. No other changes have been made to […]

Affordability, Tax Filing Threshold, and Other Exemptions Available Under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) ”individual mandate” (also called individual shared responsibility) provision, every individual must have minimum essential health coverage for each month, qualify for an exemption, or make a payment when filing his or her federal income tax return. Among other exemptions, individuals may […]

Yesterday, we here at Applied Resource Insurance Solutions, hosted a 401(k) Luncheon Seminar at the Paseo Club in Valencia, CA. Our two keynote speakers were remarkable, and engaged the entire room. Thad Letzer, the managing director of Mass Mutual, presented a Mass Mutual presentation on understanding what you’re investing into. And James Schramm, a financial […]

Actions Abolish Certain Disclosure Requirements for Federal Contractors President Trump has revoked Executive Order 13673, the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order, and the so-called “blacklisting rule” for federal contractors. Background Executive Order 13673, as amended by Executive Orders 13683 and 13738, and a final rule (“blacklisting rule”) implementing that Executive Order, required certain […]