Are You In Compliance?

California launched CalSavers to give employers an easy way to comply with the mandate and help their employees save for retirement.

State law now requires all businesses with five or more employees to facilitate CalSavers if they do not sponsor a retirement plan. Deadlines for employers to comply vary based on the size of business. The deadline for employers with five or more employees is June 30, 2022. Eligible employers with 5 or more employees who have not yet registered, should do so as soon as possible to avoid penalties. Visit CalSavers.com for more information on how to register.

California launched CalSavers to give employers an easy way to comply with the mandate and help their employees save for retirement.

State law now requires all businesses with five or more employees to facilitate CalSavers if they do not sponsor a retirement plan. Deadlines for employers to comply vary based on the size of business. The deadline for employers with more than 50 employees is June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2022 for employers with five or more employees. Eligible employers with 50 or more employees who have not yet registered, should do so as soon as possible to avoid penalties. Smaller employers may register early without penalty. Visit CalSavers.com for more information on how to register.

Dentists, registered dental assistants and registered dental hygienists whose active license expire in the period March 31, 2020 to July 31, 2021 are granted an extension of time to complete continuing education required for license renewal. The CE must be completed by Dec. 3, 2021. Read more in this DCA order. 

California prescribers are required to use electronic data prescribing for all prescriptions starting Jan. 1, 2022. Legislation, AB 2789, establishing this mandate was passed in 2018. For additional information on how to get started prescribing electronically and on the new rules, refer to Prescribing & Dispensing Q&A.

SB 501 established new requirements for dentists administering or ordering the administration of general anesthesia, deep sedation and minimal sedation. The new requirements are expected to become effective Jan. 1, 2022. Review a summary of those requirements in Sedation and Anesthesia Permits.

Continuation of FFCRA tax credit provisions extended through September 30, 2021. Since Jan 1, 2021, all employers are no longer required to provide FFCRA leave to employees – rather, employers can choose whether to provide FFCRA leave to employees and obtain tax credits to offset 100% of employee wages and healthcare premiums associated with providing the leave. Employers who choose to provide the FFCRA leave must do so universally with all employees.

Employers of five or more employees must begin to provide up to 12-weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees. Employees who meet the eligibility requirements can take leave for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child or for a serious health condition of the employee or a specified family member. Employers should watch for updated notices and update practice leave policies. Check here later for additional resources.

Requires written notice to employees in the event of a COVID-19 exposure in the workplace. Also, under the new law, if an employer is aware of a COVID-19 outbreak ― defined as three confirmed cases within 14 days ― occurring at the worksite, the employer is required to report within 48 hours the confirmed cases to their local public health agency. Read more here. Check here later for a resource that includes sample notification language.

The program is expanding to offer benefits to any employee who takes time off to attend to situations (qualifying exigencies) related to the covered active duty status of the employee’s spouse, registered domestic partner, child or parent who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This new law does not create a right to take a protected leave of absence, merely the ability to collect PFL benefits (after Jan. 1, 2021) if the employee does take the time off.

Prescribers in need of new controlled substance prescription forms should ensure they order from an approved printer listed on the DOJ website. New prescription forms with serial numbers formatted in the manner prescribed by SB 149 may be available by early to mid-2020. Confirm with the printer that the form meets California’s serial number requirements for 2021 before ordering forms. Consider moving to e-prescribing for controlled substances which is expected to be mandatory January 1, 2022.