Medical billing company’s alleged dumping of medical records results in $140K settlement with Massachusetts Attorney General.
Continue Reading Massachusetts AG Coakley Announces $140K Settlement Following Public Dumping of HIPAA PHI by Medical Billing Service Provider
Massachusetts Company Fined $15,000 Under State’s Data Security Law
The Massachusetts AG’s enforcement of its data security law demonstrates that it does not take lightly the loss of Massachusetts residents’ personal information, even if that loss has not caused any known harm to the affected residents, and that it may remain watchful over the subject of an investigation for years to come.
Continue Reading Massachusetts Company Fined $15,000 Under State’s Data Security Law
Third Party Vendors Equal Data Breach Risk, Massachusetts Vendor Contract Deadline Approaches – March 1, 2012
Massachusetts service provider contract deadline – March 1, 2012 – should be a reminder to revisit all contracts with third party vendors to ensure they require the vendor to safeguard personal information.
Continue Reading Third Party Vendors Equal Data Breach Risk, Massachusetts Vendor Contract Deadline Approaches – March 1, 2012
California and Massachusetts Legislatures Push Data Breach and Security Bills
In distinct efforts to strengthen data security requirements, the California and Massachusetts legislatures recently passed bills affecting data breach notification requirements and data security notification, respectively.
On April 14, 2011, the California senate approved S.B. 24, requiring California businesses and agencies to notify the state attorney general if more than 500 California residents
Massachusetts Attorney General Settles Data Security Lawsuit Against Boston Restaurant Group For $110,000
The trend of incresed enforcement of data privacy and security laws continues in Massachusetts as Boston restaurant group is fined $110,000.
Continue Reading Massachusetts Attorney General Settles Data Security Lawsuit Against Boston Restaurant Group For $110,000
HHS Settlement Follows Enforcement Fine
In a uniquely timed second showing of enforcement authority, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on February 24, 2011 a one million dollar settlement with a Massachusetts hospital that allegedly breached patient data. This settlement announcement comes only days after HHS announced a 4.3 million dollar HIPAA Privacy Rule fine. The
Complimentary Webinar – Massachusetts Data Security Regulations: A Plan for Compliance
Beginning March 1, 2010, businesses will be required to safeguard from identity theft and other dangers personal information about Massachusetts residents under a “written information security program” or WISP. Similar requirements exist in other states around the country, although those requirements generally are not as comprehensive as those becoming effective in the Bay state.
State Law Developments for Credit and Criminal Background Checks
Recent state law developments will affect whether and to what extent certain employers can conduct credit and criminal background checks on employees and applicants. Employers, particularly multi-state employers, should be sure to review these new requirements and adjust their practices accordingly.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth has changed how employers access and use criminal offender record information
The Final, Final Massachusetts Data Security Regulations and a Checklist for Compliance
The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations (OCABR) announced on November 4, 2009, the filing of final regulations (pdf) with the Secretary of State’s office, the final step before the regulations take effect March 1, 2010.
The final regulations differ slightly from the version of the regulations issued in August 2009, which made significant
WISP: Do You Have a Plan for Your Company’s Sensitive Information?
Data privacy and security laws in states such as Massachusetts, Maryland and Nevada require businesses to develop written policies and procedures that provide administrative, physical, and technological safeguards to protect personal information – or a "written information security program" or "WISP." These laws do not require protections for confidential company information and trade secrets, but