News
THESE UPDATES ARE OFFERED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DO NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR RECOMMENDATION
As we all work to respond carefully and effectively to the challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic, the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network is doing an enormous service in gathering current information and offering updates to the Massachusetts nonprofit sector.
An important update today can be found here: http://massnonprofitnet.org/nonprofit-resources/coronavirus-massachusetts-nonprofits/
MNN also has a dedicated Coronavirus page on its website: http://massnonprofitnet.org/
We hope you find these resources helpful and thank you for the important work you are doing for our communities.
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) is an important resource for community based nonprofit organizations across our state. Reflecting the broad diversity of the Massachusetts nonprofit sector, MNN is a central source for education, information sharing, sector advocacy, and networking among members committed to advancing the nonprofit missions of the organizations they serve. The MNN website and publications are deep with timely, substantive information and each year the Annual Conference fosters learning, connection, and advancement in the field. Liz is a recent MNN board member and has admired this organization for years. More information can be found on the MNN website.
You may want to consider membership, starting at $75/year, or attending this year's Annual Conference in October.
Reminder: Charitable organizations in Massachusetts may qualify for an exemption from paying local real or personal property taxes. Taxpayers – including charitable organizations – have the burden of proving that they qualify for this exemption. Factors that are considered by local assessors generally include whether the organization operates as a charity, serves an “indefinite class” of persons, and uses their property predominately for the organization’s charitable purpose.
The annual return, Form 3ABC, is due by March 1st for those organizations that have already obtained the property tax exemption. For those entities that have not yet applied for the exemption – or are curious as to whether they would qualify – our office would be pleased to do an assessment and, as applicable, assist with an initial application. Please contact us at admin@lizreinhardtlaw.com for help with your application or to schedule an assessment.
For additional information please refer to the MA Department of Revenue’s guidance memo, “Taxpayer’s Guide to Local Property Tax Exemptions: Religious and Charitable Organizations,” found here.
MGL Chapter 93H Update
When did you last review or update your organization’s WISP which governs the rules of handling “Personal Information” of Massachusetts residents that your organization collects directly or indirectly? General Laws of Massachusetts Chapter 93H were updated in April with significant changes that include obligatory credit monitoring in some situations for persons whose PI is breached. If you have any concerns, contact us for a courtesy call or meeting via email (admin@lizreinhardtlaw.com) or phone (978-464-9003).
We are happy to announce a new member to our team, Attorney Machiko Sano Hewitt . Machiko handles the formation of nonprofit entities and corporate governance matters including development of Bylaws, Conflict of Interest, Document Retention, Whistleblower and MA electronic data security, and WISP (written information security program) policies.
Prior to joining our firm, Machiko held the position of Nonprofit Assistance Director at Lawyers Clearinghouse in Boston for 15 years, managing a wide range of legal areas that affect Massachusetts nonprofit organizations. In addition to overseeing the Legal Referral Program (which connects nonprofit organizations unable to afford legal fees with pro bono lawyers and firms), she also designed and organized educational programs and clinics for nonprofit organizations, and trainings for pro bono attorneys.
If you have any questions or concerns about your current policies including WISP, please contact Machiko for a courtesy call or meeting via email (msanohewitt@lizreinhardtlaw.com) or phone (978-464-9003 ext.105).
Attorney Reinhardt and Chris Leigh-Manuell, Paralegal at Hurwit & Associates, will be presenting a workshop at the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network Annual Conference on October 16th at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center. Selected from a highly competitive group of 150 proposals, the workshop “Raffles, Co-Ventures and Crowdfunding, Oh My!” will focus on the legal framework and ramifications of popular fundraising methods to help nonprofits make more informed decisions regarding their development strategy. Topics to be covered will include raffles, co-ventures with for-profit entities, and online fundraising including crowdfunding. Bring your questions to the program!
To take advantage of Early-Bird Rates, please register by August 30th.
CLIENT ALERT: Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave Update
POTENTIAL THREE MONTH DELAY OF START OF THE PAYROLL TAX TO FUND PFML PROGRAM
Governor Charlie Baker, Senate President Karen Spilka, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo issued a joint statement on the evening of June 11, 2019, agreeing to delay the start of the payroll tax to fund the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave program from July 1, 2019, until October 1, 2019, …
CLIENT ALERT: Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave Update
POTENTIAL THREE MONTH DELAY OF START OF THE PAYROLL TAX TO FUND PFML PROGRAM
Governor Charlie Baker, Senate President Karen Spilka, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo issued a joint statement on the evening of June 11, 2019, agreeing to delay the start of the payroll tax to fund the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave program from July 1, 2019, until October 1, 2019, …
On Wednesday, May 29, 2019 Liz Reinhardt will present “Getting it right: Hiring Basics Including Legal Dos and Dont’s When Hiring Your Work Force” at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the New England Society of Association Executives (NE/SAE), together with Saleha Walsh, Vice President, Insource Services, Inc. In their session, Liz and Saleha will review hiring tips and pitfalls with an emphasis on compliance, particularly with regard to recent changes in the Massachusetts Pay Equity Act. Also covered in the session will be the new Massachusetts law regarding non-competition agreements, which became effective October 1st of 2018.
On January 7, 2015, Governor Deval Patrick, signed into law “An Act Relative to Parental Leave” which replaces the Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act (the “MMLA”). Prior to the enactment of the law, the MMLA applied only to female employees. Under the new Parental Leave law, employers now must provide such leave to men on the same terms and conditions as leave is provided to women.
The Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) form is a new Massachusetts reporting requirement in 2018. The HIRD form collects information about employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) offerings. Massachusetts law requires every employer in Massachusetts with six or more employees to submit a HIRD form. The HIRD reporting is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue through the MassTaxConnect (MTC) web portal. The HIRD forms are due each year on November 30th.
The Massachusetts Non-Compete Law went into effect on October 1, 2018. A non-competition agreement is a type of agreement in which an employer provides some consideration (such as a bonus) to an employee or independent contractor in exchange for that employee or independent contractor agreeing not to compete for a period of time after leaving the employment relationship.
The Massachusetts Equal Pay Act is intended to combat gender discrimination in the workplace and to reduce the wage gap between men and women. The Massachusetts Attorney General is charged with enforcing the new law, which went into effect on July 1, 2018.
Summary of The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act will go into effect on April 1, 2018. The Act prohibits Massachusetts employers from denying pregnant women and new mothers reasonable accommodation for their pregnancies and any conditions related to their pregnancies and provides increased legal protection against pregnancy-related discrimination in the workplace. The law applies to employers with six or more employees.
BOSTON (June 18, 2018)- The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) is pleased to announce that six individuals have been elected by its nonprofit membership to the MNN Board of Directors. There are five new board members:
Anna Cross, Executive Director, MetroWest Nonprofit Network, Metrowest Regional Seat
Yi-Chin Chen, Executive Director, Friends of the Children-Boston, Youth & Education Subsector Seat
Stephanie Guidry, Program Officer, The Boston Foundation, At-Large Seat
Alex McCray, Senior Director of Programs, Associated Grant Makers, Philanthropy Subsector Seat
Elizabeth S. Reinhardt, Law Offices of Elizabeth S. Reinhardt, At-Large Seat
