On May 15, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) signed into law a measure that prohibits workplace discrimination based on gender identity, making Maryland the 18th state plus the District of Columbia to extend discrimination protection to transgender individuals. The legislation will take effect on October 1 prohibiting employers from firing, refusing to hire or otherwise discriminating against a worker on the basis of the individual's gender identity.

Breaking News Regarding the Effective Date of the Workers' CompensationMedical Treatment Guidelines from the Louisiana Supreme Court

On May 7, 2014, the Louisiana Supreme Court released two (2) rulings regarding the effective date of the Medical Treatment Guidelines ("MTGs") applicable to workers' compensation claims, and affirmatively ruled that the MTGs apply to any and all "requests for medical treatment and/or disputes arising out of requests for medical treatment arising after the effective date of La. R.S. 23:1203.1 and the medical treatment schedule, regardless of the date of the accident." Therefore, the Louisiana Supreme Court has clarified that any dispute regarding workers' compensation medical treatment that arises subsequent to the effective date of the medical treatment schedule, June of 2011, must comply with the MTGs.  

To read the full client alert written by BSW workers' compensation partner, Trent Oubre visit here.