eUpdates


KP Law P.C. eUpdates/Resources

Please find below a current listing of KP Law’s eUpdates as well as our handouts from MMA Annual Meetings in years past.  For a complete listing of KP Law’s eUpdates from 2016 to present, please click here.  Note, some of the older versions of our eUpdates are out of date. If you have any questions or would like to obtain a copy of a particular eUpdate, kindly email Amy Morin at amorin@k-plaw.com


MASC/M.A.S.S. 2024 Joint Conference

PDF Supreme Court Issues Guidance on Use of Social Media
PDF Supreme Judicial Court Declares Public Comment “Civility” Policy Unconstitutional
PDF Fair Labor Standards Act
PDF SCOTUS – Boston’s Flag-Raising Decision Unconstitutional
PDF Open Meeting Law Decisions of Note

 


2024 eUpdates

PDF September 12 – Recent Treasury Guidance Offers New Flexibility Concerning ARPA Funds
PDF August 31 – State Primary 2024
PDF August 26 – Recent Changes in Tax Title Foreclosure Procedures
PDF August 23 – An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency
PDF August 13 – An Act Relative to the Affordable Homes Act
PDF July 24 – Supreme Court Issues Guidance on Use of Social Media
PDF July 8 – Changes to FLSA’s salary thresholds for exempt employees now in effect
PDF June 28 – New Developments Regarding Marijuana Host Community Agreements
PDF June 3 – Changes to Alcohol Licensing Laws
PDF May 15 – Massachusetts Superior Court Rules Tax Title Statute Unconstitutional
PDF May 7 – Opioid Litigation Update
PDF February 23 – PFAS Litigation Updates and Deadlines

 


2024 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts

PDF Municipal Finance Law Updates
PDF SJC Extends “Totality of the Circumstances” Test in Determining Whether Land is Held for Specific Municipal Purpose
PDF Conflict of Interest Law – Hiring or Supervising Family Members
PDF Recent Open Meeting Law Decisions
PDF Cannabis Control Commission Regulatory Amendments Impacting Municipalities (Part I)
PDF Cannabis Control Commission Regulatory Amendments Impacting Municipalities (Part II)
PDF Cannabis Control Commission Regulatory Amendments Impacting Municipalities (Part III)
PDF EOHLC Updates to Compliance Guidelines for MBTA Communities
PDF Constitutional Considerations in 2024
PDF Navigating the Uncertainty Over Tax Title Surplus Proceeds: DLS Offers Interim Guidance to Municipalities and Local Finance Officials

 


2023 eUpdates

PDF September 11 – FY 24 State Budget Change to Standards for Investment of Trust Funds in Municipalities
PDF July 11 – Initial Policies and Procedures to Promote Equity in the Cannabis Industry
PDF June 12 – Important Information Regarding Your Water District Contamination Claim
PDF June 12 – SCOTUS Decision Casts Doubt on Tax Foreclosure Sales in MA
PDF May 2 – Notice to Quit and Eviction Actions
PDF March 30 – Pandemic Related Legal Updates
PDF March 8 – SJC Declares Public Comments Policy Unconstitutional
PDF February 24 – No Bargaining Obligation for Fire Chief Promotional Process and Similar Exempt Managerial Positions
PDF February 16 – Article 97 Requirements Codified

2023 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts

PDF Evolution of a Chapter 40B Project
PDF Evolution of a Chapter 40B Project
PDF Process for Amending a Zoning Bylaw or Ordinance
PDF Legislative Update: Renewable Energy and Agricultural Land
PDF DHCD Issues Final Compliance Guidelines for MBTA Communities
PDF Legislative Update: Uniform Procurement Act and Municipal Finance Laws for School Districts
PDF Marijuana Reform: Parts I and II
PDF Opioid Settlements: Allocation of Funds
PDF Alcohol Licensing: Current Issues
PDF POST Commission Regulations: Update

 


2022 eUpdates

PDF November 8 – PFAS Fall 2022 Update
PDF October 19 – Marijuana Reform Part II – An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry
PDF October 12 – SJC Finds Local Zoning Prohibition on Solar Energy Systems Unlawful
PDF October 3 – Massachusetts CROWN Act
PDF September 6 – Marijuana Reform – Host Community Agreements
PDF August 11 – General Bylaw Ban on Marijuana Establishments Upheld by SJC
PDF July 26 – Update on Fire Arms Licensing
PDF July 15 – Open Meeting Law Legislative Update as of July 14, 2022
PDF July 13 – Open Meeting Law Legislative Update – Practical Considerations
PDF June 23 – Temporary Lifting of Cap on Retiree Earnings
PDF May 16 – SCOTUS – Boston’s Flag-Raising Decision Unconstitutional
PDF April 6 – Outdoor Table Service and Alcohol To Go Extension
PDF April 6 – Allocation of Recoveries from Statewide Opioid Settlements
PDF March 9 – Eligible Uses of ARPA Funding – Updated
PDF March 3 – Pandemic-Related Legal Updates
PDF January 5 – DHCD Housing Choice Regulations Update

 


2021 eUpdates

PDF December 7 – Opioid Settlement Update
PDF November 15 – Eligible Uses of ARPA Funding
PDF October 14 – PFAS Contamination Litigation Update
PDF October 6 – Extension of Massachusetts Emergency Paid Sick Leave
PDF October 5 – Status of National Opioid Settlement
PDF September 10 – U.S. Supreme Court Denies Further Extension of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Temporary Moratorium on Evictions
PDF August 19 – PFAS Litigation
PDF August 19 – PFAS Litigation Fact Sheet
PDF August 4 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Extends Temporary Moratorium For Sixty Days
PDF July 8 – SJC Decides Use of Single-Family Home for Short-Term Rentals Not Permissible Under Local Zoning Bylaw
PDF July 8 – SCOTUS Leaves in Place Temporary Moratorium on Evictions through July 31, 2021
PDF June 18 – Massachusetts COVID Emergency Paid Sick Leave
PDF June 17 – Governor Signs Legislation Extending Certain Pandemic-Related Relief Provisions
PDF June 14 – FOLLOW UP to Implications of the Rescission of the State of Emergency
PDF June 7 – Implications of the Rescission of the State of Emergency
PDF May 25 – Current Issues Regarding Alcohol Licensing
PDF March 29 – Revised Capacity Limits for Public Meetings/Hearings
PDF March 22 – Reminder: Phase IV, Step 1 of Governor Baker’s Reopening Plan Starts Today
PDF February 26 – Notices to Quit and Eviction Actions Updated
PDF February 26 – Governor Announces Transition in Reopening Plan for all Municipalities
PDF February 5 – COVID-19 Capacity Restrictions Adjusted
Effective Monday, February 8, 2021
PDF February 1 – New Requirements for Notice to Quit for Non-Payment of Rent and Changes to the Summary Process Rules and Procedures
PDF February 1 – Housing Choice Act of 2020 Update
PDF January 22 – Announcement of Temporary Revisions to COVID-19 Safety Measures – Updated
PDF January 8 – Announcement of Temporary Revisions to COVID-19 Safety Measures

 


2020 eUpdates

PDF December 29 – Expiration of Families First Coronavirus Response Act Paid Leave Provisions
PDF December 24 – Governor Announces Temporary Revisions to COVID-19 Measures Effective
December 26, 2020
PDF December 17 – Labor and Employment Issues Concerning the COVID-19 Vaccine
PDF December 16 – Desrosiers v. Baker – Important Supreme Judicial Court Decision Upholding Governor’s Authority During the COVID-19 State of Emergency
PDF December 7 – Fraudulent and Improper Unemployment Claims
PDF November 16 – Important Update on Time Frame for Action on Land Use Applications (Updated November 16, 2020)
PDF November 13 – Alcoholic Beverage License Renewals – November 2020
PDF November 12 – Governor Signs New Executive Orders Relative to COVID-19 (Updated November 12, 2020)
PDF August 7 – Governor Baker Issues Updated Gatherings Order, Effective August 11, 2020
PDF July 31 – Implementation of Governor Baker’s Post-Travel Quarantine Order, effective August 1, 2020
PDF June 6 – Latest COVID-19 Related Municipal Relief Legislation
PDF June 2 – Governor Baker’s 6/1/20 Order on Outdoor Dining – ABCC Advisory LLA and Outdoor Seating
PDF June 2 – Governor Baker’s 6/1/20 Order on Outdoor Dining – ABCC Patio Guidelines
PDF May 18 – Governor Issues Reopening Plan and Related Executive Order
PDF May 6 – Governor Baker Issues Guidance Allowing Use of Non-Essential Workers for Remote Fulfillment
PDF May 4 – General Court Deliberating New Emergency Act Regarding Conduct of Town Meeting and City Budget Procedures
PDF April 28 – Use of Electronic Signature and “Virtual” Notarization
PDF April 22 – Governor Extends School and Day Care Closure Orders – COVID-19 Order No. 27 (Child Care Programs)
PDF April 22 – Governor Extends School and Day Care Closure Orders – COVID-19 Order No. 28 (Temporary School Closure)
PDF April 22 – Legislature Passes Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium
PDF April 15 – Additional Municipal Relief Legislation Passed Chapter 56 of the Acts of 2020
PDF April 3 – Land Use Permitting Deadline Extensions: Municipal Relief Legislation (Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020)
PDF April 3 – Municipal Relief Legislation Passed by State Legislature
PDF April 3 – Updated Process for Continuing Town Meeting
PDF April 1 – Important Update Regarding Effective Date of Families First Coronavirus Response
PDF March 30 – COVID-19 Emergency Response: General Court Authorizes Postponement of Elections
PDF March 23 – Order Assuring Continued Operations of Essential Services in the Commonwealth, Closing Certain Workplaces, and Prohibited Gatherings of More than 10 People
PDF March 23 – Exhibit A to Order, COVID-19 Essential Services Listing
PDF March 23 – DPH Revised Guidance Regarding Assemblies
PDF March 21 – COVID-19 Employment and Labor Law FAQ (UPDATED in light of enactment of Families First Coronavirus Response Act and superseding prior FAQs)
PDF March 21 – COVID-19 Open Meeting Law and Public Records Implications
PDF March 21 – Land Use Permitting FAQ
PDF March 19 – Postponement of Local Elections (update)
PDF March 16 – COVID-19 Emergency Response: Implementation of Governor’s Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law
PDF March 16 – Sample Declaration of Emergency
PDF March 13 – Postponing Annual Town Elections
PDF March 13 – Sample Letter to Governor Re: Special Act to Postpone Elections
PDF March 13 – Sample Special Legislation to Postpone Election (Single Municipality)
PDF March 13 – Sample Special Legislation to Postpone Election (All Municipalities)
PDF March 13 – Governor Baker Issues Order Temporarily Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law
PDF March 11 – Considerations for Municipalities and Government Entities Implicated by Novel Coronavirus COVID-19
PDF March 11 – Process for Continuing Town Meeting (Updated 2020)
PDF March 11 – Emergency Powers of Municipalities (Updated 2020)
PDF March 11 – Guidance for Board of Health Re: COVID-19
PDF March 3 – Coronavirus Legal Resources for Public Entities
PDF March 3 – Upcoming Free Seminars, Presented by KP Law, P.C.
PDF February 3 – MMA 2020 Annual Meeting Recap

 


 

2020 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts

PDF Criminal History Background Checks for Public School Employment FAQs
PDF Criminal Offender Record Information FAQs
PDF Entering Private Property to Conduct Inspections
PDF Authorizing Home Rule Petitions
PDF Guidelines for Initial Handling of Claims or Lawsuits
PDF Open Meeting Law – Preparing Your Meeting Notice
PDF Participation in Executive Session
PDF Tips for Negotiating Municipal Recycling Contracts in a Changing Marketplace
PDF Calculation of Majority Votes
PDF New Federal Communications Commission Rule Regarding Small Wireless Facilities (5G Technology)
PDF Cannabis Control Commission Regulatory Amendments Impacting Municipalities
PDF New Central Database of CDL Drivers With Past Drug and Alcohol Testing Violations
PDF Reminder – Changes to Federal Overtime Regulations Now in Effect (With Attachment Tests for Determining Exemptions)
PDF Reviewing Proposed Amendments to Bylaws and Ordinances
PDF MMA 2020 Presentation – Alcohol and Entertainment: Keys to Local Control via Licensing
PDF MMA 2020 Presentation – Open Meeting Law: Overview and Practical Considerations for Public Entities
PDF MMA 2020 Presentation – Best Practices for Local Control of Marijuana Establishments
PDF MMA 2020 Presentation – Become A Better Borrower: Municipal Bond Basics

 


 

2019 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts

Links to each handout from the 2019 Annual Meeting can be found below.   Please also visit our Public Records Law Resource Page for a full range of publications and guidance concerning the New Public Records Law.

PDF An Act Protecting Youth from the Health Risks of Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction
PDF Firearms Licensing Update: Red Flag Law
PDF New Municipal Bond Continuing Disclosure Rules Adopted
PDF SJC Upholds Broad Termination for Convenience Clause in Public Contracts
PDF Osha Standards: Applicability to Public Sector Employment
PDF Public Records Law Update
PDF Public Records Law – Best Practices
PDF New Law Taxing and Regulating Short-Term Rentals
PDF Short-Term Rental Law – Key Provisions
PDF Open Meeting Law Update
PDF Emergency Powers of Municipalities
PDF Sample Notice – Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
PDF The Open Meeting Law and Social Media — Potential Pitfalls

 


 

2018 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts

 Links to each handout from the 2018 Annual Meeting can be found below.   Please also visit our Public Records Law Resource Page for a full range of publications and guidance concerning the New Public Records Law.

PDF  Automobile Dealer Licensing
PDF Cannabis Control Commission DRAFT Regulations – 935 CMR 500.00 – A Municipal Top 10 List
PDF Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy
PDF  Emergency Powers of Municipalities
PDF Entertainment Licensing
PDF Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination and Harassment (Including Sexual Harassment) Policy
PDF The Evolving Interpretation of Article 97 – Smith v. Westfield
PDF General Laws Chapter 40U – Alternate Process for Collection of Certain Fines
PDF  Non-Medical Marijuana by the Unofficial Numbers
PDF  Open Meeting Law Update – January, 2018
PDF  Proposition 2 1/2 – Part I – A Practical Guide
PDF  Proposition 2 1/2 – Part II – Contingent Appropriations
PDF  SJC Affirms Authority of Towns and Cities to Regulate Use of Land for Private Aircraft

 


 

2017 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts

 Links to each handout from the 2017 Annual Meeting can be found below. As we issue new materials they will be published on the website.  Please also visit our Public Records Law Resource Page for a full range of publications and guidance concerning the New Public Records Law.

PDF  Implications for Public Employers – The Regulation and Taxation of the Marijuana Act – With Sample Policy
PDF The Public Records Law – Effective January 1, 2017
PDF KTT, LLC v. Board of Assessors of the Town of Swansea
PDF Responding to a Public Records Request – Municipal Timeline – Effective January 1, 2017
PDF Municipal Modernization Act – A Practical Guide
PDF Municipal Modernization Act – Public Procurement and Contracting
PDF Municipal Modernization Act – Tax Administration
PDF Open Meeting Law and Social Media – Potential Pitfalls
PDF Public Building Construction Projects – Issues for Consideration When Drafting Warrant Articles
PDF G.L. c.41 §111F (Injured on Duty Benefits) FAQ
PDF Denial of Licenses for Non-Payment of Certain Municipal Charges – Amendment to G.L. c40 §57