Act 22 of 2017 has finally closed the loophole in Pennsylvania's Wiretap Act that inexplicably criminalized aspects of police use of body cameras. Act 22 was the culmination of a two-year lobbying effort by the Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and other stakeholders. It represents a major win for police officers and their unions.

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FMLA is a federal law that requires certain employers to provide qualifying employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. This blog post is Part III of a series providing an overview of the FMLA. Part I discussed the basics of the law, Part II discussed how an employee requests FMLA leave, and this post outlines what employees are entitled to while they are on FMLA leave.

Read more about the Family and Medical Leave Act..

Clients frequently ask what will happen to their assets when they die, and the usual response is what happens to an asset will depend on the type of asset involved. There are two types of assets: probate assets and non-probate assets. Each is treated differently under Pennsylvania law.

Read more about Intestate Succession in PA...

The importance of preparing powers of attorney when one is capable and competent to do so cannot be overstressed. As a rule, most lawyers recommend two different powers of attorney – One for financial and one for health care.

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The IRS has announced that it will require all taxpayers to disclose their health coverage status when filing their 2017 tax returns in the 2018 tax filing season. The move is a reversal of the policy adopted by the IRS for 2016 tax returns in response to a January 2017 executive order that directed federal agencies to reduce potential burdens on taxpayers because of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Read more about disclosing health coverage to IRS...

If you've spent much time on social media, chances are you have come across that person who "over-shares." Some posts are just awkward; some are offensive; others are so personal they make the reader squirm. A recent decision from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court is a reminder that when you share something on the internet – even on a site you think is private or personal - you cannot be sure who will ultimately receive the information, and it could be used against you later on.

Read more about work-related social media posts...

Virtually every union, health and welfare fund, and pension fund that maintains offices in Pennsylvania has designated at least one officer or employee to obtain a commission from the Secretary of State to be a notary public. Major changes to the notary law went into effect on October 26, 2017 and all notaries public in Pennsylvania must take note.

Read more about the changers to PA notary laws...

Have you and your co-workers been kicking around ideas about how to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey? The IRS has issued guidance that could give even those with limited cash a way to donate if your employer will donate cash equal to your paid-time-off to certain approved charitable organizations.

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You're fighting for custody of your children. Does the other party have a criminal record? Will a judge award one party sole custody because of the conviction? Will a judge require supervision or counseling? It all depends on the crime, and whether the convicted party poses a real threat to the child.

Read more about crime and custody...

Pennsylvania's Department of Labor, Office of Unemployment Compensation has established an Amnesty Program that permits claimants to repay delinquent fault and nonfault overpayments at a reduced rate. You may be eligible for this program if you have an outstanding overpayment of unemployment compensation benefits on file with the Office of Unemployment Compensation.

Read more about the Amnesty Program...

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Supreme Court will hear separate cases challenging political gerrymandering in PA and Wisconsin. In both League of Women Voters of PA v. Commonwealth of PA and Whitford v. Gill, the plaintiffs assert that political gerrymandering of legislative districts by Republican-controlled state legislatures in PA and WI violated the state or federal constitution.

Read more about political gerrymandering...