In the Loop – July

Biden Administration Cancels $7.7 Billion in Student Debt for 160,000 Borrowers
On May 21, 2024, President Joe Biden announced that an additional 160,000 Americans would get
their student debt—a collective $7.7 billion—canceled. With this move, the Biden-Harris administration has offered a total of $167 billion in loan forgiveness to 4.75 million Americans.
Compliance Bulletin – 2024 Midyear Employment Law Compliance Trends

Throughout 2024, there have been significant changes in employment law at the federal, state and local levels. A review of recent and proposed legislation reveals a number of emerging trends that will affect employers for the remainder of the year.Employers should ensure that they are apprised of significant legal developments and are either in compliance or prepared to comply with their requirements.
The midyear point is a great time for employers to evaluate their compliance with recent and upcoming employment laws.Understanding and responding to these trends will be essential for employers’ success for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.
Legal Update: Texas Federal District Court Partially Clocks the FTC’s Noncompete Ban

On July 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted the plaintiffs’ motion in Ryan LLC v. FTC for a preliminary injunction to block the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) noncompete ban while the court considers the merit of the case. The injunction applies only to the plaintiffs in the case: a Texas employer, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business
organizations. The court intends to rule on the merits of the case by Aug. 30, 2024, before the ban’s scheduled effective date of Sept. 4, 2024.
Think Well, Be Well: Coping With Summer-onset Seasonal Affective Disorder

Summer is typically viewed as a season of sunshine, vacations and outdoor fun, but for some, it brings an unexpected wave of depression known as reverse seasonal affective disorder (SAD). While the winter variant of SAD is more well-known, summer-onset SAD is a legitimate condition that can significantly impact one’s mood and energy levels. Factors such as extreme heat,disrupted routines and societal pressure to have fun all contribute to this form of seasonal depression.
Compliance Overview – Using HSAs, Health FSAs and HRAs for Over-the-Counter Items

Health savings accounts (HSAs), health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) may provide tax-free reimbursements of certain over-the-counter (OTC) items. OTC items are generally available to consumers without a prescription.
To be reimbursable, an OTC item must be for “medical care,” as defined under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Section 213(d). Medical care expenses are amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting a structure or function of the body.