Regulation

President Obama late Monday signed into law NARAB II, the highly-anticipated legislation re-establishing the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers, creating a clearinghouse that would ease the ability of brokers to sell insurance in states across the U.S.

A set of tax proposals issued today by Rep. Chris VanHollen (D-Md.), the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, may lay the foundation for Democratic employee benefit-related legislation this year and beyond.

Congress’ first week was a busy one, as new lawmakers worked to make changes to the Affordable Care Act — changes employers should bear in mind as they develop their benefit plan and ACA compliance strategies in the coming year.

Brokers and employers applaud the recent push by Congress to revise the ACA 30-hour work week definition, but the change could mean an immediate workload increase for benefit advisers.

While there are still some areas that could benefit from additional guidance, the agencies provide some much needed clarity in the issues that are addressed.

The U.S. House late Thursday passed H.R. 30, the Save American Workers Act, which alters the definition of a full-time employee under the Affordable Care Act.

As one of the new Congress’ first moves, the House passed H.R. 22, which would ease some of the administrative burden of the Affordable Care Act for small employers who hire veterans.

Republicans, industry organizations and a coalition of employer groups are ramping up their efforts to change the ACA’s definition of full-time employment from 30 hours a week to 40 hours a week.

Having recently allowed recreational marijuana in the District of Columbia, D.C.'s council has also passed a new temporary law that would effectively ban employers from drug testing a prospective employee before a conditional offer of employment is made.

The disability and absence management landscape continues to undergo significant change. Here are five trends to watch for in 2015.