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FLSA Injunction on Salary Threshold for Exempt Employees

Client Alert

A November decision issued by the Eastern District of Texas officially “vacated” the Department of Labor’s Final Rule, nationwide, raising the salary threshold for exempt employees. Interestingly, the Court decided to vacate the rule and “set it aside,” rather than issue an injunction based on a directive from the Fifth Circuit that calls for “illegal agency action” to be nullified and revoked, rather than stayed. The decision can be located here: https://www.cupahr.org/wp-content/uploads/OT-SJ-Decision.pdf

What does this mean for employers?

  1. January 1st salary increase requirement for exempt employees will no longer be required, and employers will not be required to raise salaries to maintain the exemption status.
  2. The Court also held that the July 1st increase requirement was similarly unlawful and; therefore, employers who did raise employees’ salaries could theoretically drop them back to, at or above, $35,568 and still maintain the exemption.

Although the Department of Labor could appeal this decision to the Fifth Circuit, such appeal would not conclude by January 20th when it is expected that Trump’s AG/DOL would drop the appeal.

If your clients would like to further discuss how this ruling impacts them or how to unwind previous changes, please do not hesitate to contact Bryan Meek at 330.253.5586 or bmeek@bmdllc.com.


Another Transparency Obligation: The FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements

Many physician practices and healthcare businesses are facing a new set of federal transparency requirements that require action now. The U.S. Department of Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements (the “Rule”), which was promulgated pursuant to the 2021 bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act, is intended to help curb illegal finance and other impermissible activity in the United States.

“In for a Penny, in for a Pound” is No Longer the Case for Florida Lawyers

On April 1, 2024, newly adopted Rule 1.041 to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedures goes into effect which creates a procedure for an attorney to appear in a limited manner in civil proceedings.  Currently, when a Florida attorney appears in a civil proceeding, he or she is reasonable for handling all aspects of the case for their client.  This new rule authorizes an attorney to file a notice limiting the attorney’s appearance to particular proceedings or specified matters prior to any appearance before the court.  For example, an attorney can now appear for the limited purpose of filing and arguing a motion to dismiss.  Once the motion to dismiss is heard by the court, the attorney may file a notice of termination of limited appearance and will have no further obligations in the case.

Enhancing Privacy Protections for Substance Use Disorder Patient Records

On February 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) finalized updated rules to 42 CFR Part 2 (“Part 2”) for the protection of Substance Use Disorder (“SUD”) patient records. The updated rules reflect the requirement that the Part 2 rules be more closely aligned with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) privacy, breach notification, and enforcement rules as mandated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020.

Columbus, Ohio Ordinance Prohibits Employers from Inquiries into an Applicant’s Salary History

Effective March 1, 2024, Columbus employers are prohibited from inquiring into an applicant’s salary history. Specifically, the ordinance provides that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice to:

The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board’s Latest Batch of Rules: What Providers Should Know

The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board has introduced new rules and amendments, covering various aspects such as CDCA certificate requirements, expanded services for LCDCs and CDCAs, remote supervision, and reciprocity application requirements. Notable changes include revised criteria for obtaining a CDCA certification, expanded services for LCDCs and CDCAs, and updated ethical obligations for licensees and certificate holders, including non-discrimination, confidentiality, and anti-sexual harassment measures.