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Husch Blackwell Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Alleged 401(k) Mismanagement

"According to the lawsuit, the firm allegedly permitted high administrative and investment management fees that disadvantaged the participants, without adequate due diligence to explore better options. It suggests that Husch Blackwell's oversight or lack thereof led to unnecessary financial burdens on employees participating in the 401(k) plan." [Paetkau v. Husch Blackwell LLC, No. 25-0721 (W.D. Mo. complaint filed Sep. 16, 2025)]

Missouri Joins States Expanding Health Plan Options Beyond Traditional Insurance

"On July 14, 2025, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 79 into law, which, among other things, allows Farm Bureau to offer health plans in Missouri to Farm Bureau members.... Proponents of Farm Bureau health plans believe the legislation fills gaps for those who would otherwise go without coverage. Critics argue these plans provide inferior healthcare coverage and lack regulatory oversight by operating outside of insurance laws."

Missouri's Paid Sick Leave Repeal: FAQs and What Employers Need to Know Now

"With the passage of House Bill 567, the mandatory Earned Paid Sick Time (EPST) law is nearing its repeal, effective August 28, 2025.... Employers must navigate not just a compliance pivot, but also a legal gray zone without official guidance or precedent.... So, what should employers do now, and how do you handle the sick leave your employees have already earned?"

Employers Continue to Face ERISA Tobacco Surcharge Lawsuits, With Mixed Results

"Given the current legal landscape, tobacco cessation wellness programs carry both regulatory and fiduciary compliance obstacles. To avoid the risk of lawsuits and penalties, employers should ... [1] Review and update wellness program design ... [2] Engage and undergo annual fiduciary best practices compliance training ... [3] Offer a reasonable alternative standard ... [4] Provide retroactive reimbursement ... [5] Encourage robust notice and disclosure ... [6] Maintain consistent and prudent administration."

District Court Vacates 2024 HIPAA Reproductive Health Privacy Rule: Key Impacts for Covered Entities and NPP Compliance

"Covered entities that have already updated their [Notices of Privacy Practices (NPPs)] to incorporate the 2024 rule's reproductive health provisions should now remove those disclosures and revert to the prior NPP language. The district court's decision likely constitutes a 'material change' under HIPAA and triggers a requirement to redistribute the revised NPP within 60 days.... All other NPP modifications contained in the 2024 rule unrelated to reproductive health remain in effect, and covered entities must comply with these by the February 2026 deadline." [Purl v. HHS, No. 24-0228 (N.D. Tex. Jun. 18, 2025)]

Nebraska Governor Signs Amendment to State's Paid Sick Leave Law

"[T]he Act now applies to private employers in Nebraska with 11 or more employees.... The Amendment adds several exceptions to the definition of employee.... [B]usinesses with 11 to 19 employees are still required to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave annually. Businesses with 20 or more employees are required to provide up to 56 hours of paid sick leave annually."

IRS Issues Guidance on Uncashed Retirement Plan Checks

"[Rev. Rul. 2025-15] clarifies the federal tax withholding and reporting responsibilities of retirement plan administrators when a distribution check is issued but remains uncashed and a subsequent check is later issued to the participant.... [1] No refund or adjustment for withholding on uncashed checks ... [2] Withholding requirements for subsequent checks ... [3] Reporting obligations ... [4] No relief for plan administrators."

MHPAEA July 2025 Update: What Employers and Plans Need to Know About Federal Non-Enforcement

"The 2024 Rule is not currently enforced due to litigation and agency reconsideration. Employers must comply with the 2013 Rule and the CAA. Enhanced requirements from the 2024 Rule are on hold but may return in future rulemaking. State enforcement may vary; fully insured plans must monitor both federal and state requirements. Continue to perform and document NQTL comparative analyses and prepare for further regulatory updates."

Missouri Legislature Passes Bill Repealing Paid Sick Leave Mandate: What Employers Need to Know

"The Bill repeals RSMo Sections 290.600 -- 290.642, which currently require the accrual of earned paid sick time for employees in Missouri.... The Bill modifies the applicability of certain wage and leave provisions for public employers.... [P]ending the Governor's signature, the Bill will take effect on August 28, 2025."

Pending Legal Challenges to Missouri's New Paid Sick Leave Law

"Missouri's new minimum wage and paid sick leave law (Proposition A) currently is subject to two legal challenges; [1] a lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of the law, and [2] a house bill that, if passed by the Senate and governor, would ... eliminate paid sick leave components of the law. The paid sick leave component of the law otherwise remains scheduled to go into effect on May 1, 2025, with relevant April 15, 2025, notice and posting compliance deadlines for employers."