📜DOL Information Collection Affecting Employers and Insurance Carriers
The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.
Learn More🌾Proposed Rule to Rescind H-2A Labor Regulation Requirements
The Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is proposing to amend its regulations governing the certification of agricultural labor or services to be performed by temporary foreign workers in H-2A nonimmigrant status (H-2A workers) and enforcement of the contractual obligations applicable to employers of such nonimmigrant workers. This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM or proposed rule) that would rescind provisions contained within a final rule published by the Department on April 29, 2024, which adopted a number of unnecessary, burdensome, and costly requirements on employers. Specifically, these provisions include, but are not limited to, substantial new requirements associated with the material terms and conditions offered by employers to H-2A workers that are not commonly provided to other U.S. workers, including progressive discipline policies for cause-based employment terminations, anti-retaliation measures for certain workers engaged in self-organization and other concerted activities, and expanding the authority and scope for a State Workforce Agency (SWA) to discontinue employment services to employers, which prevents those employers from accessing the H-2A program, while eliminating employers' option to request a hearing prior to the SWA's final determination. Further, the final rule imposed extensive highly-sensitive data collection requirements on employers related to their use of foreign labor recruiters, including personal names and physical addresses abroad, as well as detailed personal information associated with all owners of the employers, operators of the place(s) of employment, and supervisor(s) and manager(s) of workers employed under the terms of the work contract, with very limited or no practical utility to the agency's statutory decision making. A brief summary of this rulemaking can be found at www.regulations.gov by searching by the RIN: 1205-AC25.
Learn More🎭Proposed OSHA Rule on Inherently Risky Professional Activities
OSHA proposes to clarify its interpretation of the General Duty Clause, 29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1), to exclude from enforcement known hazards that are inherent and inseparable from the core nature of a professional activity or performance.
Learn More🏥Proposed Changes to National Medical Support Notice for Businesses
The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) (Services), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) Part A with minor changes, for an additional 3 years. The current OMB approval expires on November 30, 2025. To allow states to program the changes to the proposed NMSN Part A, OCSS requests that the current NMSN Part A be extended 1 year.
Learn More💼Proposed Extension of Information Collection for Employers' Reimbursement Program
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance request for comment to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request helps to ensure that: requested data can be provided in the desired format; reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized; collection instruments are clearly understood; and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the OWCP is soliciting comments on the information collection for the Claim for Reimbursement--Assisted Reemployment, CA- 2231.
Learn More📄Proposed Extension for Waiver of Certified Mail Requirements in Workers' Comp
The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre- clearance request for comment to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request helps to ensure that: requested data can be provided in the desired format; reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized; collection instruments are clearly understood; and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, DLHWC is soliciting comments on the information collection for "Waiver of Service by Registered or Certified Mail for Employers and/or Insurance Carriers" (LS-801) and "Waiver of Service by Registered or Certified Mail for Claimants and Authorized Representatives" (LS-802).
Learn More💼IRS Proposes Automatic Enrollment for Retirement Plans under SECURE 2.0
This document sets forth proposed regulations that would provide guidance with respect to the automatic enrollment requirements that apply to certain retirement plans. The proposed regulations reflect statutory changes made by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 requiring that certain cash or deferred arrangements and salary reduction agreements be eligible automatic contribution arrangements that satisfy additional specified requirements. The proposed regulations would affect participants in, beneficiaries of, employers maintaining, and administrators of certain retirement plans that include cash or deferred arrangements or annuity contracts purchased under salary reduction agreements and other retirement plans that include eligible automatic contribution arrangements. This document also provides notice of a public hearing.
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