July 22, 2020

State Authorizes Restaurant Sales of To-Go Cocktails

 On July 20^th, Governor Baker signed a bill authorizing on-premises licensees to sell mixed drinks for off-premises consumption for the duration of the declared state of emergency or until February 28^th 2021, whichever is later.  The law is an expansion of a previous law passed in April which allowed beer and wine to be sold alongside take-out and delivery orders.  The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission has released an Advisory Regarding On-Premises Licensees Selling Mixed Drinks For Off-Premises Consumption, which provides importance guidance on the sales restrictions included in the law.    

Governor Baker Extends Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures

 Governor Charlie Baker has extended the current moratorium on evictions and foreclosures in an ongoing effort to protect homeowners, tenants and some small businesses during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.  The original language of the law was set to expire on August 17^th, but also allowed for the Governor to extend the protections for a limited period.  The moratorium includes protections for small businesses, provided that the business meets certain criteria, including having fewer than 150 full-time equivalent employees.  While housing advocates continue to push for a twelve-month extension, the governor's recent action now pushes the expiration of the moratorium to Oct. 17, 2020. 

Final Family & Medical Leave Regulations

The Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has released its final regulations (458 CMR 2.00) governing the administration of the state’s Family and Medical Leave Program.  The final regulations include important changes regarding intermittent leave, applicability of job protections to private plans, and the treatment of employees with multiple employers.  Members with questions regarding these regulations may contact RAM, General Counsel, Ryan Kearney at [email protected].   

Retailers’ Input Needed on MassDOT/MBTA Employer Panel

 MassDOT and the MBTA are looking to hear from the Greater Boston Business Community about their transportation needs. To that end, they are establishing a group of employers to help gather information while they work to reopen the commonwealth.   MassDOT and the MBTA will periodically survey this Employer Panel to gather ongoing feedback, with a current focus on the impacts of COVID-19 that affect transportation and travel in the Greater Boston region. The feedback this group provides will be used for planning purposes at MassDOT and the MBTA, and they will periodically share findings from their surveys with members of the panel and the public at large.