According to the National Climatic Data Center, 2014 was the hottest calendar year on record since 1895 in California. Thus far in 2015, the Center has already recorded consistent and similar record-breaking temperatures over the last two months. As such, now is the time for employers to prepare for anticipated record heat Read more…
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today issued a nationwide alert about the dangers of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues/compounds. Fentanyl is commonly laced in heroin, causing significant problems across the country, particularly as heroin abuse has increased. “Drug incidents and overdoses related to fentanyl are occurring at an alarming Read more…
Mistakes on your criminal record can be devastating to professional licensees such as those Simas & Associates, Ltd. represents. This blog discusses the process for correcting these mistakes. Correcting Mistakes on Your Criminal Record Under California law, the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice are responsible for Read more…
On November 8, 2014, Simas & Associates, Ltd. helped sponsor a 5K and Children’s Fun Run in Paso Robles. “GREW From the Vines” was organized by Trinity Lutheran School out of Paso Robles, California, and was a fundraiser helping families, youth and our community stay healthy while supporting local homeless, Read more…
The California Public Records Act (California Government Code sections 6250-6276.48, “PRA”) states that all public records in California are open to inspection and copying by anyone. However, the exercise of that right takes a little more nuance than just citing the statute to a state, local, or quasi-municipal agency. So, we sat Read more…
An "alternating proprietorship" is a term used to describe an arrangement in which two or more people take turns using the physical premises of a brewery or winery. It is an effective method for an existing brewer or winemaker to use excess capacity of the brewery or winery and for an Read more…
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special Read more…
During the 2013 Session of the Texas Legislature,House Bill 308—the “Merry Christmas Bill”—was filed to protect Texans’ right to acknowledge traditional winter holidays like Christmas and Chanukah on public and private school grounds. The bill allows students, parents, teachers and administrators the freedom to acknowledge these traditional winter holidays without fear of Read more…
The California Board of Occupational Therapy has proposed modifications to the text of Title 16, California Code of Regulations, section 4170, which are the Ethical Standards of Practice of Occupational Therapy. The proposed modifications include a number of gramatical changes and clean-up of the regulation. However, it also contains substantive changes. Specifically: Read more…
Our office speaks to many licensees after they have been arrested – these arrests can range from driving under the influence, domestic violence, drug possession, assault, and even manslaughter. Often, licensees ask us how their boards or agencies knew about their arrests before he or she even reported it. For Read more…