ADA | Fraser Blog

Five Stories That Matter in Michigan This Week – April 26, 2024

FTC Issues Final Rule Banning Non-Compete Agreements Nationwide

On April 23, 2024, in a 3-2 vote, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule banning non-compete clauses in most employment agreements nationwide. The rule is scheduled to go into effect 120 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

Why it Matters: Under the final rule, “Non-compete clause” is defined as “a term or condition of employment that prohibits a worker from, penalizes a worker for, or functions to prevent a worker from: (i) seeking or accepting work in the United States with a different person where such work would begin after the conclusion of the employment that includes the term or condition; or (ii) operating a business in the United States after the conclusion of the employment that includes the term or condition.” Read more from your Fraser Trebilcock attorneys.

———

State and Local Governments Subject to ADA Website Rules

Why it Matters: While staffing at many schools has grown due to pandemic relief funding, student enrollment has dwindled. This report comes on the heels of another report – this one from the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics – projecting the state population could decline by nearly 700,000 residents by 2050.

———

Michigan 04/20 Sales Hits All-Time High

Per data from Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency, sales of cannabis topped $28.5 million on April 20, 2024, an increase from the reported $21.6 million in sales from the year prior.

Why it Matters: Marijuana sales remain strong in Michigan, particularly for recreational use. However, there still are significant concerns about profitability and market oversaturation that the industry is contending with. Contact our cannabis law attorneys if you have any questions.

———

The Limitations of Federal Bankruptcy Law for Marijuana Businesses

Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal at the federal level. This creates a unique challenge for marijuana businesses operating legally within their state’s framework, as they are unable to avail themselves of federal bankruptcy protection.

Why it Matters: Federal bankruptcy courts have been reluctant to provide relief to debtors engaged in activities that are illegal under federal law, even if those activities are legal under state law. As a result, marijuana businesses are often left without the benefits of bankruptcy protection, such as the automatic stay, discharge of debts, and court-supervised reorganization.

———

Fraser Trebilcock Attorney Secures Victory for Firm Client

Fraser Trebilcock attorney Andrew J. Moore was successful in obtaining summary disposition on behalf of the firm’s client. Plaintiff and their spouse applied for credit life insurance from the firm’s client, a prominent independent insurance company, in conjunction with an RV they purchased.

Why it Matters: The spouse misrepresented their medical history and was in fact diagnosed with and treating for a disqualifying medical condition. The spouse died of heart attack two months after purchase. The firm’s client rescinded the credit certificate, then was sued. Plaintiff claimed RV salesman misrepresented application, eligibility, insurability, and coverage limits, while simultaneously claiming RV salesman was an “agent” of the firm’s client such that they should be held liable for their misrepresentation. After discovery and at summary disposition, the Judge ruled in favor of the firm’s client and dismissed all counts. Learn more.

Related Practice Groups and Professionals

COVID Updates – Long COVID May Qualify as an ADA Disability

President Biden announced on July 26 that Americans experiencing “long COVID-19” symptoms may qualify as having a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), based on guidance issued jointly by the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”). With COVID-19 cases rising 64 percent week-over-week as of August 4, and more attention being paid to the long-term ramifications of the disease, this is an issue that could affect many employers.

Long (or long-haul) COVID refers to a prolonged illness experienced by someone who caught the virus but continues to have symptoms weeks or months following the initial diagnosis. Scientists are still studying why some people are more vulnerable to long COVID than others. Typical symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, memory loss and a general sense of “brain fog,” although persistent symptoms lasting for months can be vague, even for those who initially were asymptomatic.

The guidance from the DOJ and HHS explains that long COVID can be a disability under the ADA, which prohibits discrimination against, and requires reasonable accommodation for, qualified individuals with disabilities. However, the agencies emphasized that an “individualized assessment is necessary to determine whether a person’s long COVID condition or any of its symptoms” limits their ability to work.

It is important to note that President Biden’s statement and agencies’ guidance do not carry the weight of law. The practical implication of the guidance for employers is to raise awareness that they may have to provide paid time off, benefits and reasonable accommodations (such as the ability to work remotely or other flexible work arrangements) for employees who are suffering from long COVID symptoms. Reviewing and making adjustments to existing policies in light of this guidance may be appropriate. Please contact us for additional information and assistance.

Given the fluid nature of COVID-19’s impact, we will continue to provide employer-updates on important issues, including legislative and regulatory changes at both the federal and state levels.

If you have questions about this issue, please contact Aaron Davis or your Fraser Trebilcock attorney.

Aaron L. Davis is Shareholder and Chair of Fraser Trebilcock’s labor law practice. You can reach him at adavis@fraserlawfirm.com or (517) 377-0822.

Can Employers Ask Their Employees if They Have Been Vaccinated?

One of the biggest challenges of the past year for employers has been keeping up with the complex and constantly evolving employment law issues that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines has been a welcome relief for employers hoping to create safe and productive workplaces, but issues related to vaccines create a new set of questions.

One of the most common is whether employers can inquire about whether their employees have been vaccinated. Employers are wise to seek legal counsel regarding this issue, as any medical inquiry by an employer could give rise to legal risks. In this case, one of the main risks is that such an inquiry could be interpreted as a prohibited disability inquiry under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

As with most legal issues, this one is nuanced. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has issued guidance stating that a mere inquiry of vaccination status does not constitute a disability-related inquiry under the ADA. The EEOC explains that there are many reasons that may explain why an employee has not been vaccinated, which may or may not be disability-related. Therefore, pursuant to the guidance, “simply requesting proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination is not likely to elicit information about a disability and, therefore, is not a disability-related inquiry.”

However, the guidance suggests that delving further into vaccination status may be problematic. For example, asking why an employee did not receive a vaccination may elicit information about a disability. Such follow-up questions could implicate the ADA and must be considered in light of the ADA’s framework that requires such inquiries to be “job-related and consistent with business necessity.”

The EEOC’s guidance on these issues is just that—guidance—and it is subject to change. As with any workplace policy, before establishing rules concerning vaccines, employers should consult legal counsel in order to understand their rights and responsibilities. If you have any questions about these issues, please contact Klint Kesto or your Fraser Trebilcock attorney.

Fraser Trebilcock attorney and former Michigan State Legislator Klint Kesto has nearly two decades of experience working in both the public and private sectors. You can reach him at kkesto@fraserlawfirm.com or 517.377.0868.

Can Higher Education Institutions Make COVID-19 Vaccinations Mandatory for Students?

On April 23, 2021, the University of Michigan announced that all students who choose to live on its Ann Arbor campus during the 2021 fall term will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. It’s not the first university to make such a pronouncement, and almost certainly will not be the last, which raises an interesting question: Can higher education institutions legally mandate vaccinations?

As with most complex legal issues, it is a nuanced one, and different schools have taken different stances. As of May 6, 2021, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, 225 schools have made vaccinations mandatory. Others are leaving the decision to students. And Virginia Tech University announced that it does not believe that it has the legal authority to mandate that students be vaccinated.

While many higher education institutions have routinely required students to be vaccinated for viral diseases such as measles and mumps, the COVID-19 vaccines fall into a gray area. The difference—which is the issue cited by Virginia Tech in suggesting that it lacks authority for a mandate—is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only allowed the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccines and has not given them its full approval.

In some states, the vaccine decision is being directed by state governments. In states such Arizona, Idaho, Florida, Montana and Texas, governors have issued executive orders prohibiting government entities from requiring proof of COVID vaccination for access to buildings or services. However, the breadth and scope of such orders differs by state. Texas’ order, for example, is one of the broadest, in that it affects both public colleges and private colleges that receive state funding.

In Michigan, there is no similar executive order, but a Michigan House of Representatives version of a spending bill includes language prohibiting the state’s public universities from requiring COVID vaccines as a condition of enrollment or attendance.

It is also important to note that, even if a higher education institution mandates vaccinations, exemptions may apply. For instance, both public and private colleges and universities are subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). A student could potentially seek an accommodation from a requirement to take a vaccine on medical grounds, but a school’s obligations with respect to each such request—whether an accommodation is necessary and, if so, the extent of any such accommodation—must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

In short, this is a complex issue involving a number of considerations—from the legal and regulatory landscape to the political environment. That may explain why some higher education institutions, such as Wayne State University, have adopted a middle-ground position short of a mandate that involves offering students incentives for getting vaccinated. In April, Wayne State University announced that it would deposit $10 into the student account of any student who uploaded proof of vaccination by May 7.

If you have any questions regarding these issues, or require assistance in evaluating your institution’s COVID-19 vaccination program, please contact Ryan Kauffman.

Ryan K. Kauffman is a Shareholder at Fraser Trebilcock with more than a decade of experience handling complex litigation matters. You can contact him at rkauffman@fraserlawfirm.com or 517.377.0881.