New laws coming to RI and MA

​MA Law Update Alert
On Aug 1, 2017 Governor Baker signed an Act further regulating employer contributions to the Commonwealth’s health care program, MassHealth. The Act, which will go into effect January 1, 2018, will temporarily increase the existing Employer Medical Assistant Contribution (EMAC) and impose new penalty fees on employers with employees covered under MassHealth. The Act will potentially have an impact on Arbor Associates, Inc. and our client billing rates in Massachusetts. Two significant components of the law include:

• An increase to the required Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC) to an annual maximum of $77 per employee from $51 per employee. Employers with an average of six or more employees per quarter are required to make EMAC contributions.
• Implementing an employer penalty assessment up to $750 (5% of annual wages) for each non-disabled employee who receives health coverage through MassHealth or opts out of employer coverage and receives subsidized coverage through the Marketplace (Massachusetts Health Connector.)

We’ll continue to provide updates on the impact of this new Act as cost impacts to Arbor, and our clients, are better understood. More information is available here: https://www.mass.gov/news/updates-in-employer-health-care-contributions-and-experience-rate-schedule-adjustments-for
 
Youth Protection Act (Rhode Island)
On October 5, 2017, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed legislation (S.B. 1025) requiring persons who provide volunteer services with youth serving agencies to get a national criminal records check if the volunteer service involves supervisory or disciplinary power over a child or where the services involve routine contact with a child without the presence of other employees or volunteers. The act is effective immediately. (Courtesy ThinkHR)