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Employment Law Seminar TEXAS MUNICIPAL HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATION Moody Gardens Hotel Seven Hope Boulevard Galveston, Texas September 3-4, 2009 The Texas Municipal Human Resources Association (TMHRA) is an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League.

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Employment Law SeminarTEXAS MUNICIPAL HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATION

Moody Gardens HotelSeven Hope Boulevard

Galveston, TexasSeptember 3-4, 2009

The Texas Municipal Human Resources Association (TMHRA) is an affiliate of the

Texas Municipal League.

7:45 – 8:15 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:15 – 8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks and IntroductionsTMHRA President Bonita Hall, Director of Human Resources, Pearland

8:30 – 9:45 a.m. Employment Law and the Net: Legal Issues in the High-Tech AgeAlan J. Bojorquez, Attorney, Bojorquez Law Firm, PLLC, AustinAlan will provide information about incorporating Internet and Smart Phone policies in light of open meetings andopen records.

9:45 – 10:00 a.m. Break

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Disability Redefined – The True Impact of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008Sheila B. Gladstone, Attorney, Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C., AustinThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act became effective on January 1, 2009. The main purposeof the ADA Amendments Act is to reverse the trend of the last decade’s court rulings to narrow the definition of“disabled persons.” The Amendments, intended to “restore” the ADA, dramatically increase the scope and number ofindividuals entitled to protection, both for employment purposes and for public services access. What does the newlaw mean for cities? An experienced public-sector employment lawyer will lead a discussion on the potential impact ofthe Act on best practices and litigation trends.

11:00 a.m. – Noon An Illusion of Privacy? Exploring Recent Legislative and Legal Changes to Employee Confidentiality RightsDarrell Noga, Partner, Fee, Smith, Sharp & Vitullo, LLP, DallasHear a detailed review and analysis of recent case law and legislative developments relating to the often competing interests of employee privacy and an employer’s need to know. The presentation will describe areas of conflict, howthe law addresses same, and what savvy human resources departments need to know to protect themselves and theiremployees.

Noon – 1:30 p.m. Lunch, TMHRA Business Meeting, and Outgoing and Incoming Board Recognition

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Texas Legislative UpdateSusan Rocha, Partner, Denton, Navarro, Rocha & Bernal, P.C., San AntonioSusan will review all relevant legislation passed by the Texas legislators this session (including the special session).

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation, and How to Handle ComplaintsLori Gillespie, Staff Attorney III, Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk PoolLearn tips on how to react to information received regarding harassment and discrimination, including when and howto conduct an investigation and suggestions on how to avoid liability for allegations of retaliation.

3:00 – 3:15 p.m. Break

3:15 – 4:30 p.m. Can a Tweet Land You Out on the Street? Hiring and Firing in the Age of Social NetworkingSheila B. Gladstone, Attorney, Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C., AustinFacebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, blogs, and other social media have the potential to provide a wealth ofinformation on employees and applicants, but they are also a source of potential liability for employers. Learn aboutthe benefits and the pitfalls of Internet resources before you “dooce” someone.

4:45 – 5:45 p.m. Reception

8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 9:45 a.m. Health AND Welfare Plans: Recent Developments and Looming ChangesJames Williamson, Associate, Haynes and Boone, LLP, DallasThis presentation will focus on recent developments affecting health and welfare plans, including new COBRA requirements, Michelle’s Law, HIPAA, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and mental health parity. It will also address pending federal legislation and regulation, including the possible impact of health care reform.

9:45 – 10:00 a.m. Break

10:00 a.m. – Noon State/Federal UpdateBettye Lynn, Partner, Lynn Pham and Ross, LLP, Fort WorthMs. Lynn will provide her ever popular update on legal developments in Texas and the nation as well as highlight keyissues before the Texas State Legislature, Congress, and the courts in 2009.

Friday, September 4

Thursday, September 3Te

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The primary focus of the seminar is to discuss and review the current employment issues facing municipal governments, including recent changes to federal and state laws. The program is sponsored by the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association (TMHRA), an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League (TML). It is designed to provide human resource professionals, managers, and supervisors with the tools necessary to maintainworkplaces that are in compliance. It will also heighten your awareness of legal issues surrounding the workplace and how you can avoid costlymistakes.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING• You will learn the most recent changes in employment laws, enhancing your skills and knowledge to better manage your business environment. • You will hear a broad overview of recent court cases, regulatory decisions, and state and federal legislative initiatives. • You will have valuable professional networking opportunities with peers.

REGISTRATON POLICYThe registration fee includes all conference sessions; handout materials; Thursday continental breakfast, lunch, and evening reception; Friday continentalbreakfast; and all scheduled refreshment breaks. See the registration form for fees.

CANCELLATION AND SUBSTITUTION POLICYIf you are registered and cannot attend, we encourage you to send a substitute. If you cannot send a substitute, a $45 cancellation fee will be assessed ifwritten cancellation is received by August 13. No refunds will be honored after August 13, 2009.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONSThe seminar will be held at the Moody Gardens Hotel, located at Seven Hope Boulevard in Galveston, Texas. To make reservations, please call the hotel toll free at 888-388-8484 and ask for the TMHRA Employment Law Seminar room block. A rate of $139 single/double per night is available until August 13, 2009, or until the block is full. The Moody has graciously extended the group rate two days prior (Monday and Tuesday) and after (Friday and Saturday) our event—this is based on availability.

NEED TO RENT A CAR?Call Avis at 800-331-1600, or make reservations online at www.avis.com. The Avis World Wide Discount (AWD) Number is J867208 (Texas MunicipalLeague). Enterprise Corporate Class discounts are available at www.enterprise.com or by calling 800-736-8222. Your Corporate Class number is Y21222.Enter TEX for the company name.

SHUTTLE TRANSPORTATIONGalveston has partnered with several of the most reputable and reliable limousine and shuttle services in the Galveston and Houston areas to provide greatprices on transfers to and from Galveston and Houston airports. To make your reservations, log on to http://www.galveston.com.

CONFIRMATIONS/BADGESConfirmations and conference badges will be mailed to you in advance. REMEMBER – PLEASE BRING YOUR BADGE TO THE CONFERENCE.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITElected officials can earn approximately nine credit hours toward a Texas Municipal League Institute certificate for participation in the TMHRA EmploymentLaw Seminar. CEU forms will be available on site.

MCLEDue to the criteria set by the State Bar of Texas, the Employment Law Seminar does not qualify for MCLE credits.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONSLet us know on the registration form if you need special assistance of any kind. WE WANT TO HELP! In order to respond to any special request, wewould appreciate as much advance notice as possible. Thank you.

QUESTIONS?You may contact the TML Program Development Department in the following ways: 1. Phone: 512-231-7400 2. Fax: 512-231-74943. E-mail: [email protected]. Address: 1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400, Austin, Texas 78754-5128

General Information

city managersassistant city managerscompensation managershuman resource managers

risk managerspersonnel professionalspolice chiefsattorneys

city secretariesfire chiefsany person dealing with employee relations

Employment Law SeminarTEXAS MUNICIPAL HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATION

Registration

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS:

o MasterCard o Visa o Am Ex o Discover

Cardholder's Name (Please Print)_________________________________________________

Acct #_____________________________________________________________________

Signature__________________________________________________________________

Exp. Date______________________________________________________ _________________

FOR TML OFFICE USE ONLY:Business Check__________________________________ $____________________________

Personal Check__________________________________ $____________________________

Total $____________________________

Batch No.__________________________

Id #_______________________________

THREE WAYS TO REGISTER: (1) Register online with credit card at: (2) Fax this form with credit card (3) Mail this form with payment to:

www.tmhra.org payment to: TML Administrative Serviceswww.tml.org 512-231-7495 1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400

Austin, TX 78754-5128REGISTRATION FEE (Save $50 by registering online at www.tmhra.org!)Register by Mail or Fax By August 13 $200 After August 13 $250 The registration fee includes all conference sessions; handout materials; Thursday continental breakfast, lunch, and evening reception;Friday continental breakfast; and all scheduled refreshment breaks. In addition, all attendees will be entered into a drawing for a chanceto win a complimentary registration to the 2010 Employment Law Seminar (must be present to win)!

CANCELLATION AND SUBSTITUTION POLICY: If you are registered and cannot attend, we encourage you to send a substitute. If youcannot send a substitute, a $45 cancellation fee will be assessed if written cancellation is received by August 13. No refunds will be honored after August 13.

QUESTIONS: If you have questions, please call us at 512-231-7400 and ask for the Program Development Department, or [email protected].

Please type or print the information requested. (Should you need additional forms, please copy this form.)Your name badges and confirmations will be mailed in advance. If an e-mail address is provided, you will also receive confirmation via e-mail.

Full Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Badge Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Title: __________________________________________________________________________________________

City/Organization: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: (_____)_______________ Fax: (_____)_________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________

I need the following special accommodations: ____________________________________________________________________

2009 TMHRA Employment Law Seminar