COVID-19 LEGISLATION

COVID-19 LEGISLATION: What Employers Need to Know

In the early morning hours of Saturday, March 14, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Act), which includes two sections providing emergency paid leave rights to employees. After some modifications by the House on Monday, the bill went to the Senate, which overwhelmingly approved it on Wednesday, March 18. President Trump signed it the same day.  The two leave-related components of the legislation take effect on April 2, 2020, 15 days after enactment, and sunset (expire) on December 31, 2020. For unstated reasons – but likely a political compromise – the law applies only to private-sector employers with fewer than 500 employees. (It also applies to public agencies of all sizes.) Below is a summary of what such employers need...

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Melissa Soliz Discusses Health Information Privacy with Pinal County Justice System

The justice system often needs access to health information in order to ensure fair and equitable justice, but is often unaware of the complex web of state and federal privacy laws that restrict when health care providers may share health information with justice system personnel. This lack of understanding often creates tension and confusion between the health care system and the justice system. To close that gap in understanding, Health Current (Arizona’s statewide health information) provided an educational seminar to the Pinal County justice system on how to navigate health information privacy laws for justice system purposes.    During the presentation, titled “The Privacy of Health Information and the Judicial System: HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 and State Law,” Melissa Soliz and co-presenter Chase Millea provided an overview of...

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Roopali represents four initiative campaigns who filed a Petition for Special Action with the Arizona Supreme Court to seek an order permitting them to use the E-Qual system to obtain online signatures

Arizona Capitol Times Gets Roopali Desai’s Take on Legislative Proposals

When covering three legislative proposals (HCR2032, HCR2046 and SCR1020) that could scale back Arizona voters’ lawmaking powers and upend Arizona’s ballot initiative and referral system, Arizona Capitol Times turned to Coppersmith Brockelman’s Roopali Desai for expert commentary. A highly regarded election and political lawyer, Roopali highlighted how the proposed laws are an attempt to undermine voters’ constitutional rights to legislate co-equally with the legislative branch. Moreover, she says, these changes could result in lengthy ballots and costly elections, ultimately leading to voter disengagement.  Roopali, who is a partner in the firm’s litigation group, advises clients on all aspects of election law, including campaign finance compliance, disclosure and reporting requirements, and bringing and defending election challenges. She is especially known for her experience representing initiative, referendum, and recall campaigns, and...

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Kristen Rosati’s Health Care Data Expertise Included in Proceedings from National Academies Workshop on Neuroscience Data in the Cloud

The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine just published its workshop proceedings from the Neuroscience Forum Workshop on Neuroscience Data in the Cloud. Coppersmith Brockelman’s Kristen Rosati, who was on the planning committee for the event and moderated the discussion of recommended privacy protection of data in the cloud, is prominently featured in the third chapter. One of the nation’s leading “Big Data” and HIPAA compliance attorneys, Kristen led a robust discussion of standards for de-identification, the risks of re-identification, and compliance with varying regulatory standards in Europe and the U.S.  Kristen has deep experience in data sharing for research and clinical integration initiatives, clinical research compliance, and biobanking and genomic privacy.  She is a Past President of the American Health Lawyers Association, the nation's largest educational organization devoted to legal issues in the...

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Scott Bennett Informs Healthcare Risk Management Readers About Compensation Compliance

Scott Bennett Brings Insight, Expertise to Webinar Exploring Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare Law

Artificial intelligence is poised to transform healthcare – and health attorneys must be prepared for it. Coppersmith Brockelman attorney Scott Bennett participated in a webinar hosted by the American Health Lawyers Association. Scott discussed the current legal framework for artificial intelligence in healthcare. He examined the FDA’s regulation of AI software, the FTC’s potential role in addressing consumer applications of AI, and the tension between existing privacy laws and the use and development of AI technologies. Scott is among the state’s leading attorneys representing hospitals and other healthcare providers. His extensive knowledge about data privacy and security, especially when it comes to HIPAA and protecting sensitive healthcare information, helps companies comply with the complex web of federal and state laws and regulations that govern the industry.  ...

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Kristen Rosati Tackles Developing Standards for De-Identifying Clinical Information at National Cancer Institute Workshop

On February 25, the National Cancer Institute hosted a workshop on de-identification of patient information, which is essential to research and an important way to protect the privacy of individuals. Kristen Rosati discussed the various standards for de-identification under international, federal and state laws in her talk, “Coping with Evolving Standards for De-Identification of Clinical Information.”  Considered one of the nation’s leading “Big Data” and HIPAA compliance attorneys, Kristen has extensive experience in data sharing for research, clinical integration, and artificial intelligence initiatives; clinical research compliance; and biobanking and genomic privacy. She regularly speaks on these topics at national conferences and forums.   Kristen is a past President of the American Health Lawyers Association (2013-2014).  Learn more about the National Cancer Institute. ...

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