New York
237 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, New York 10605
(914) 328-0674

New Jersey
744 Broad Street – Suite 1815
Newark, New Jersey 07102
(973) 273-0600

Connecticut
(203) 357-1111

www.probonopartnership.org

February 2003

Welcome to Pro Bono Partnership’s eNewsletter

The Pro Bono Partnership recently celebrated its 5^th Year Anniversary and honored its 2002 Volunteers of the Year!

Click here for the full story

Featured Articles

NEW!  The Partnership’s Website now features articles on various legal topics:

Tax-Exempt Law Issues:

• How Officers And Directors Of Nonprofits Can Stay Out Of Trouble Under The Excess Benefits Rules?

• What Must A Tax Exempt Group Do To Acknowledge Donations?

• Charitable Registration In NJ

Employment Law:

• Employment Law Guide For New York And Connecticut Nonprofits

• Criminal Record Checking In NJ For Youth-Serving Organizations

Nonprofits and Technology:

• Why Should A Nonprofit Have Its Website Reviewed?

Intellectual Property For Nonprofits:

• Frequently Asked Questions About Trademarks And Service Marks For Nonprofit Corporations

Real Estate Legal Issues For Nonprofits:

• Issues And Concerns For Nonprofits When Negotiating A Commercial Lease

Upcoming Workshops

The Pro Bono Partnership offers LEGAL EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS for staff and directors of nonprofit organizations for a schedule of upcoming workshops in 2003
Click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every day nonprofits call the Partnership’s office with questions about their day-to-day operations.

By following this link to the Partnership’s website, you can review responses to frequently asked questions by the Partnership’s staff attorneys.

Legal Alerts and Recent Developments

New York:

• New York City Human Rights Law amended:  An amendment to the NYC Human Rights Law now makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against an employee based on an individual’s actual or perceived gender, which includes protection for trans-gendered individuals. NYC Local Law, Int. 0024-2002.

Connecticut:

• Exemption from Property Taxes:  The City of Bridgeport recently revised Local Ordinance 3.16.030 dealing with nonprofits that lease space to other nonprofits.  As a result of this amendment, now many nonprofits will not have to pay property taxes in connection with their rental activity.  The Pro Bono Partnership co-counseled with volunteer attorneys Sandra Emerling and Jeffrey Hyde, both with GE Capital in Fairfield, on this project.

• Gaming Regulations Recently Amended: On January 6, 2003 the Connecticut Legislature repealed Connecticut's Las Vegas nights law that permitted churches and nonprofit organizations to raise money in casino-type gambling.  This action was reportedly taken in an effort to stop new Indian casinos from opening in Connecticut.  (However, the repeal of the Las Vegas Nights law does not affect other games of chance that nonprofits can still use for fundraising activities, such as bingo and raffles.)  If you need more guidance on this issue, please contact us.

New Jersey:

• NJ Supreme Court holds that anti-harassment training is mandatory for supervisors and managers.  A recent Supreme Court decision in NJ, Gaines v. Bellino, 173 NJ 301 (2002) specifies that simply having an anti-harassment policy contained in a personnel handbook does not satisfy the requirement for making staff aware of the anti-harassment policy. Accordingly, it is now clear that in NJ, employers must provide training to their workforce, or face certain liability for harassment claims.

• The NJ Legalized Games of Chance Commission has published updated and revised regulations for license requirements for raffles and other games of chance:
  “Bingos and Raffles Statutes and Regulations.”

• NJ Wage and Hour Regulations are available online.  If your organization has questions about exempt/non-exempt workers, overtime, wage payments or other wage and hour issues, check out the NJ Department of Labor website which provides access to wage and hour regulations.

Internal Revenue Service Updates Affecting Tax-Exempt Organizations:

• IRS Issues Publication on Gaming: A new publication is available at the IRS website that outlines tax issues important to nonprofits that engage in gaming activities such as bingo and raffles: "Gaming Publication for Tax-Exempt Organizations," Publication 3079 (4-98) is also available from the IRS by calling (800) 829-3676.

Contact Us

Thank you for being part of the Pro Bono Partnership e-newsletter mailing list.  To be added to or removed from this list, please call the Partnership’s New Jersey office (973) 273-0600. or click here.

To apply for legal assistance from the Pro Bono Partnership in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, please click here.

Legal Disclaimer

Please note that the information presented on this publication is provided for informational purposes only. No information presented in this publication is intended as legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the Pro Bono Partnership or any other party.

Copyright 2003 Pro Bono Partnership