News

As dispensaries open their doors across the state, Arkansas employers should have a policy in place for how to deal with medical marijuana in the workplace. One of the questions we have been asked most frequently is what positions qualify as “safety sensitive” under the language of Arkansas’ medical marijuana Amendment (Ark. Const. Amend. XCVIII). While the interpretation of the medical marijuana Amendment has yet to be tested in court, this article addresses our opinion on what positions qualify as “safety sensitive.”

By Allison Pearson The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued an opinion making it easier for employers to withdraw recognition of a union. The NLRB issued its opinion in Johnson Controls, NLRB, 10-CA-151843, on July 3, 2019, upholding the employer’s anticipatory withdrawal of recognition of a union that represented 160 of its workers.

In the legal world, summer signals the end of several important seasons. The U.S. Supreme Court ends its spring term in June by issuing opinions before it breaks for summer vacation. The Arkansas Legislature wrapped up its 92nd General Assembly on April 24, 2019, and most statutes passed during session go into effect on today (Wednesday, July 24, 2019.) Keep reading for our Supreme Court and legislative updates which highlight the major opinions and legislative updates affecting employment law.

By Lynda M. Johnson, Timothy C. Ezell and Amie K. Alexander Published in Arkansas Medical News (July/August) On May 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued clarification on all instances through which a business associate can be held directly liable for compliance with certain requirements of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, Breach Notification and Enforcement Rules (HIPAA Rules).

Attorney Kael K. Bowling is a recent graduate of Leadership Fayetteville, an annual program of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce created to further expand its graduates’ involvement in the community. The program is designed to serve as the beginning of a long-term relationship with various aspects of Fayetteville, allowing class participants to learn about numerous segments of the community during the 10-month program.

Med Mal 101: Back to Basics is 12-part series produced by Friday, Eldredge & Clark. Written by the attorneys in the Medical Malpractice Group, the content is designed to give physicians and other healthcare providers information they need to know about malpractice litigation.

Attorney Katie Watson Bingham, who is a member of the Class of XXXIV, graduated today from the Leadership Greater Little Rock program - a nine-month community leadership program from the Little Rock Regional Chamber.