Joseph J. LazzarottiBlog Posts
DOJ Announces Cybersecurity Enforcement Initiative Targeting Federal ContractorsLast week, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced the launch of its Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative (“the Initiative”) aimed at combating “new and emerging cyber threats to the security of sensitive information and critical systems” specifically targeting accountability of cybersecurity obligations for federal contractors and federal grant recipients, by way of the False Claims Act. The...October 18, 2021 |
California Expands Privacy and Security Requirements for Genetic DataWith health-related data and how to protect it at the forefront of discussion since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, this week California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills related to genetic data. First, AB 825, will expand the definition of personal information to include genetic data, for data breach notification requirements for businesses... Continue ReadingOctober 9, 2021 |
California Expands Privacy and Security Requirements for Genetic DataWith health-related data and how to protect it at the forefront of discussion since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, this week California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills related to genetic data. First, AB 825, will expand the definition of personal information to include genetic data, for data breach notification requirements for...October 8, 2021 |
Employer Vaccine Surcharges—Yes, You Can!As employers consider implementing a vaccine mandate to encourage employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, we have recently discussed the merits of imposing a “vaccine surcharge” on monthly health insurance premiums for those employees who remain unvaccinated. There were unanswered questions about specific legal issues, but now the Department of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS),... Continue Reading…October 6, 2021 |
Employer Vaccine Surcharges—Yes, You Can!As employers consider implementing a vaccine mandate to encourage employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, we have recently discussed the merits of imposing a “vaccine surcharge” on monthly health insurance premiums for those employees who remain unvaccinated. There were unanswered questions about specific legal issues, but now the Department of Labor (DOL), Health and Human...October 5, 2021 |
OCR Speaks to HIPAA, COVID-19 Vaccinations, Privacy, and the WorkplaceWhen use or disclosure of an individual’s health information or medical records is at issue, the assumption seems to be, much more often than not, that the HIPAA privacy and security rules apply. This has certainly been the case during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, it is true that in most healthcare settings, HIPAA is... Continue ReadingOctober 5, 2021 |
Health App Alert: FTC Expands Scope Health Breach Notification RuleThe Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently issued an important policy statement to health apps and other connected devices that collect or use consumers’ health information. The FTC’s policy statement effectively clarified the position that health apps and related connected devices are subject to the Health Breach Notification Rule (“the Rule”), which requires vendors of personal...October 5, 2021 |
OCR Speaks to HIPAA, COVID-19 Vaccinations, Privacy, and the WorkplaceWhen use or disclosure of an individual’s health information or medical records is at issue, the assumption seems to be, much more often than not, that the HIPAA privacy and security rules apply. This has certainly been the case during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, it is true that in most healthcare settings, HIPAA is...September 30, 2021 |
OCR Speaks to HIPAA, COVID-19 Vaccinations, Privacy, and the WorkplaceWhen use or disclosure of an individual’s health information or medical records is at issue, the assumption seems to be, much more often than not, that the HIPAA privacy and security rules apply. This has certainly been the case during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, it is true that in most healthcare settings, HIPAA is... Continue Reading…September 30, 2021 |
Illinois Panel Issues Important Ruling on BIPA Statute of LimitationsOn September 17, 2021, a three-judge panel of the Illinois Appellate Court for the First Judicial District issued a long-awaited decision regarding the statute of limitations for claims under the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”) in Tims v. Black Horse Carriers, Inc. The Tims decision marks the first appellate guidance regarding this issue. Although...September 20, 2021 |