On March 31, 2021, New York legalized the recreational use of marijuana for individuals over the age of 21 The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) generally legalized cultivation, distribution, use, and possession of recreational marijuana in New York State Important for New York employers, MRTA amends Labor Law Section 201-d, which protects employees’ right to engage in certain recreational activities outside of work Section 201-d generally prohibits employers from [...]

 On March 12, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed a new law that allows employees in New York to take up to four hours of paid leave time, per vaccination, to get vaccinated for COVID-19, which takes effect immediately and will expire on December 31, 2022 We previously published a summary of this new law here: https://www.lgtlegal.com/news/Newly-Enacted-COVID-19-Vaccination-Leave-Effective-as-of-March-12-2021_344-news.htm The New York Department of Labor has recently published guidance on this [...]

On Tuesday, March 30, 2021, the PPP Extension Act was signed into law.  This gives small business owners the opportunity to apply for a PPP Loan until May 31, 2021.  Here is a link to the SBA’s Press Release on the PPP Extension Act of 2021:  SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman’s Statement on President Biden signing the PPP Extension Act of 2021 into law. The Attorneys at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP are available to provide advice and counsel concerning [...]

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) is the latest federal COVID-19 relief bill, which the President signed into law March 11, 2021.  The ARPA expands on some of the critical provisions in the CARES Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act and is aimed to aid individuals, businesses as well as state and local governments.  A summary of the ARPA is provided below.  The APRA provides funding for: agriculture and nutrition programs, including [...]

On March 12, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed a new law that allows employees in New York to take up to four hours of paid leave time, per vaccination, to get vaccinated for COVID-19, which takes effect immediately and will expire on December 31, 2022 The law adds Section 159-c to the New York Civil Service Law and Section 196-c to the New York Labor Law (NYLL) This new leave entitlement affects both private and public employers and employees Employees shall be provided a sufficient period of [...]