Preparing Your Business to Comply With New York State’s SHIELD Act

Click here for printer friendly PDF of this article.

As we begin a new year, organizations should continue to be prepared to address challenges arising from the ongoing proliferation of cybersecurity threats that wreak havoc on businesses and customers. In response to an increase in cybersecurity incidents, a number of state and federal laws have been passed, including New York State’s recently enacted “The Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act,” commonly referred to as the “SHIELD Act”.

The SHIELD Act’s provisions are not effective until March 21st of this year. This means, organizations still have time to review their existing practices and cybersecurity policies to minimize exposure to data breaches and to ensure compliance with applicable laws, including the SHIELD Act.
More…

New York State Releases Draft of Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy and Training Requirements

New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy and Training

New York State’s 2019 Budget, which was signed in to law this past April, includes legislation that requires every employer in New York State, within both the private sector and public sector, to establish a sexual harassment prevention policy and to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training.

Click here to download a printer friendly PDF of this Special Alert.

As detailed in our previous Special Alert, New York State’s Department of Labor and Division of Human Rights have issued a model sexual harassment prevention policy and model training program. Once finalized, those models will establish a minimum standard for all employers in New York State to follow or incorporate in to their own policy and training program.

While the Department of Labor and Division of Human Rights have not yet issued final requirements, employers can use the models to begin to prepare to comply with the sexual harassment prevention policy and training legislation.
More…

Changes to Tax Audits for Partnerships

Effective as of January 1, 2018, certain rules governing federal income tax audits of partnerships have changed substantially as a result of the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (the “Act”). These changes require taxpayers who conduct business as a partnership or other entity treated as a partnership for tax purposes (such as a limited liability company with multiple owners) to amend their partnership agreements (if you conduct business as a partnership) or operating agreements (if you conduct business as a limited liability company) to address issues raised by the new rules.


More…