Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.
The following is a summary of the labor- and employment-related regulatory and legislative news for the week of June 21, 2009:
Agency Changes
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Jane Oates to be the assistant secretary of the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
Business Restructuring
The FOREWARN Act was reintroduced in both the House and Senate. This bill would amend the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act to expand mass layoff and plant closing notification requirements, and increase employer penalties for violations.
Discrimination in the Workplace
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) reintroduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009, a bill that would create employment protections for workers based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Employee Benefits
The House Committee on Education and Labor passed the 401(k) Fair Disclosure for Retirement Security Act, a bill that would require the disclosure of hidden 401(k) fees, prevent conflicts of interest in the provision of investment advice, and grant funding relief to pension plans.
Health Care
House Democrats released a draft of their massive healthcare reform bill.