LegalEase – January 2022

January 18, 2022

From Our Computers to Yours

Here’s wishing you a good start to the year ahead!  Whether that means working on your New Year’s resolutions or your bucket list, embarking on a new venture or adventure, rekindling friendships and making new memories, re-focusing on health, making progress toward your financial goals, or simply staying safe, comfortable, and content, we wish you success.

Hopefully, you’ve found our newsletter useful, relevant, and interesting.  If there is a topic you’d like us to write about or if you have a question for our Q&A section, let us know!  Send an email to Sheila, our Paralegal, at sheila@bienstocklegal.com, or to our general mailbox at info@bienstocklegal.com.

In this issue, you’ll find:

  • New Laws
  • COVID and the Courts
  • Believe It ….. or Don’t!
  • Q&A

Our office continues to be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. We’re here when you need us; please call or email!

Your Attorneys,

Steve Bienstock
Josh Bienstock

NEW LAWS

In Maryland

Effective January 1, 2022:

  • Minimum wage went up to $12.50 for people working with 15 or more co-workers, and $12.20 for those working in smaller companies.
  • There are now protections from excessive medical debt for low-income residents.
  • As an organ donor, you can now designate specified purposes (research, education, transplantation, or therapy) for your donation.

In Montgomery County

  • Landlords are now required to install window guards where children under 10 years old are living, or where a tenant requests them.

In DC

Effective January 1, 2022:

  • Restaurants can’t give you disposable items (napkins, utensils, condiments, etc.) unless you ask for them or they are in a self-service area.

Effective January 15, 2022:

  • If you’re over 12 years old, you must show proof of one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination to enter restaurants, bars, movie theaters, entertainment venues, gyms, yoga studios, and shared work facilities.  Effective February 15, 2022, proof of being fully vaccinated will be needed.

COVID AND THE COURTS

       On Monday, December 27, 2021, the Maryland Judiciary announced it was temporarily reverting to Phase III of its Court operations plan in response to the recent surge in Maryland of COVID-19 cases.  As a result, the Courts have had to make a number of changes to their docket, their operations, and their processes.  This includes cancellation of some hearings and trials as well as changes to the procedures for visiting Courthouses.

If you have any questions on how these changes impact you and your case, please get in touch with us.

If you’ve been trying to handle a legal matter on your own, and these changes have complicated things for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.