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The impact of the coronavirus pandemic will be dramatic across the spheres of medicine, government, personal relations, and business.  While some essential businesses stay open, closures and slowdowns are likely more the rule than the exception.  Affected businesses will naturally…

Through the CARES Act, the recent $2 trillion dollar coronavirus relief package passed by Congress, Rhode Island will receive $1.2 billion in SBA disaster loan funding. It may take weeks, however, before this money reaches Rhode Island’s small businesses and…

As a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, myriad contracts, leases, and business relationships have been significantly impacted. Many of these contracts may have been fundamentally altered and require renegotiation, or may even no longer be binding. Contract Evaluation and…

The Rhode Island Superior Court’s recently implemented COVID-19 Business Recovery Plan allows businesses to seek judicial assistance to restructure their obligations and operations relative to the pandemic. If COVID-19 has impacted your organization and you need: A court-approved plan that…

The historic $2 trillion dollar coronavirus relief package, officially known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides significant financial assistance and benefits to eligible Rhode Island and Massachusetts businesses and non-profits. If COVID-19 has impacted your…

Written by New York charter school attorney, Paul T. O’Neill, the following is a comprehensive question and answer about the guidance on special education law and regulations related to COVID-19 for New York city and state. The U.S. Department of…

Written by New York charter school attorney, Lisa J. Holtzmuller, the following is a comprehensive question and answer analysis of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and New York Emergency Paid Sick Leave Legislation for New York charter schools. The…

 On March 20, 2020, Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, announced that states can bypass standardized testing for the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19.  States that are unable to assess their students due to COVID-19 are invited to submit a…

Written by Paul T. O’Neill, this March 23, 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) education update provides a current status of all U.S. federal and New York state guidance for school districts, charter schools and private schools. FEDERAL Supplemental Fact Sheet on Special Education…

On March 20, 2020, Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, announced that states can bypass standardized testing for the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19. States that are unable to assess their students due to COVID-19 are invited to submit a…

Since moving to shut down their normal operations in response the coronavirus health emergency, many schools and districts have moved to online operations.  That has led to a range of challenges, including some relating to the confidentiality of student information….

Based upon the most current information from public health experts concerning the response to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, and in keeping with recommendations and/or requirements issued by federal, state and local authorities, Barton Gilman is committed to doing everything possible…

The following Coronavirus (COVID-19) considerations for Massachusetts employers reflects the state and federal government’s guidance as of Monday morning, March 16, 2020. DO Apply preventive and response measures uniformly to all employees. Consider flexible work arrangements, including work-from-home or other…

The following Coronavirus (COVID-19) considerations for Rhode Island employers reflects the state and federal government’s guidance as of Monday morning, March 16, 2020. DO Apply preventive and response measures uniformly to all employees. Consider flexible work arrangements, including work-from-home or…

The following Coronavirus (COVID-19) update for New York Charter Schools reflects where things stand as of March 15, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. NYC CLOSING DISTRICT SCHOOLS As you may be aware, Mayor De Blasio has just announced that public schools…

On March 12, 2020, Governor Baker issued an Executive Order suspending certain portions of the Open Meeting Law during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus)-related state of emergency. Specifically, as of March 12, 2020, your Boards and all sub-committees may take the following…

Managing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and maintaining compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). DO Notify your local health department immediately upon learning that a member of your school community may…