Effective September 2, 2025, Massachusetts will begin enforcing 940 CMR 38.00, a new regulation aimed at promoting price transparency for consumers. These comprehensive rules apply to the sale or lease of goods and services for…
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/ Administrative Law, Commercial Law & Contracts, Consumer Protection
In two closely watched rulings, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island has temporarily blocked enforcement of federal grant restrictions targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and services…
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/ Administrative Law, Civil Rights, Government Contracting, Nonprofit Law
By Elizabeth Manchester and Kelley O’Donnell On July 29, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a sweeping memorandum titled “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination,” which identifies…
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/ Administrative Law, Civil Rights, Education Law
On June 17, 2025, the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved the state’s $13.9 billion budget for FY 2026, which includes a substantial 63% increase in the real estate transfer (conveyance) tax. Effective July 1, 2026,…
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/ Real Estate - Commercial, Real Estate - Residential, Taxation
Effective October 15, 2025, Massachusetts has adopted new home inspection regulations under 760 CMR 74.00 that prohibit sellers from accepting residential real estate offers containing preemptive inspection waivers, or…
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/ Administrative Law, Consumer Protection, Real Estate - Residential
It is that time of year again, when the Rhode Island legislature ends its session and passes a number of laws that affect businesses with Rhode Island employees…
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/ Labor & Employment Law
The proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces sweeping tax changes that will significantly impact nonprofit organizations. While the bill aims to encourage charitable giving through a new universal deduction…
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/ Education Law, Nonprofit Law, Taxation
On June 26, 2025, Rhode Island enacted Bill 579 SUB A, Chapter 41, establishing new compliance and reporting requirements for nonprofit organizations operating within the state. Aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability…
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/ Administrative Law, Labor & Employment Law, Nonprofit Law
Rhode Island nonprofits holding sales tax exemption certificates are reminded to file their renewal applications before the upcoming deadlines to maintain their tax-exempt status and comply with updated requirements. Sales tax…
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/ Nonprofit Law, Taxation
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (“DOR”) has proposed a new regulation, 830 CMR 62B.2.4, which introduces a significant change to the taxation of real estate transactions within the Commonwealth by non-resident sellers…
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/ Real Estate - Commercial, Taxation
A new lawsuit will test the legality of grant programs of the U.S. Department of Education for colleges and universities, charging that these programs unlawfully discriminate based on race or ethnicity…
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/ Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Education Law
The EEO-1 Report must be filed by covered employers by June 24, 2025 at 11:00pm EDT. The reporting requirement applies to private employers with 100 or more employees in one workweek in the fourth quarter of 2024 and certain…
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/ Administrative Law, Civil Rights, Labor & Employment Law
When borrowing for capital projects, 501(c)(3) borrowers often have various options to achieve their financing goals. Traditional financing through a bank or engaging in specific capital campaign fundraising efforts are…
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/ Finance & Banking, Nonprofit Law, Taxation
Federal contractors need to take note of two Executive Orders impacting their employee Diversity Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) programs. Unlike the recent EEO and DOJ guidance regarding employer DEI initiatives applying to all…
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/ Civil Rights, Government Contracting, Labor & Employment Law
What We’re Watching: Peebles, et al. v. JRK Property Holdings, Inc. Massachusetts SJC hears arguments on what is “Reasonable Wear and Tear” under the Security Deposit Statute - On April 7, 2025, the Supreme Judicial Court heard…
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/ Consumer Protection, Real Estate - Commercial, Real Estate - Residential
