Kentucky Human Resource Update - Agenda

8:00 a.m. 
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Sponsors (provided)

8:30 a.m.  
Welcome and Greeting from Presenting Sponsor 
Candra Bryant, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, Chief Operation Officer, Hanna Resource Group

8:35 a.m. 
Legislative HR Update 
Annie Santos, Manager, Public Affairs, Kentucky Chamber 
The Kentucky Chamber represents businesses, small and large, every day at the Capitol. With so many bills filed, it is often difficult to keep up with the many bills and how they could directly impact you. This session will let you know what passed, what didn’t and how it may affect your business’ bottom line.

9:00 a.m.  
Kentucky Legal Update
Cynthia L. Effinger, Co-Managing Member, McBrayer PLLC  
This session will review employment decisions from the Courts from the past year, as well as any new laws and regulations.  We will discuss how these decisions and laws impact businesses and their relationship with employees and the steps necessary to maintain compliance.  In addition, this session will provide information on what employers need to know when and if ICE comes knocking at their door. This will include best practices for developing a policy prior to a visit from ICE and how to manage the ICE visit as it occurs.

10:30 a.m.  
Break with Sponsors

10:45 a.m.  
Employee Benefits Update
Kim O’Donnell, Employment & Labor Partner, Dentons 
The employee benefits update will unpack the ramifications of legislative, administrative and regulatory changes that have arisen recently in the employee benefits space in addition to exploring new benefit trends, including mental health, wellness and EAP enhancements. This session is intended to help employers stay compliant (ACA, ERISA and COBRA) and to attract and retain talented employees.

11:45 a.m. 
Lunch with Sponsors (provided)

12:45 p.m. 
Coming to an Employee Benefit Plan Near You in 2026 - Legal Update on Healthcare and Employer-Sponsored Health and Welfare Plans
Douglas L. McSwain, Partner, Bricker Graydon and Wyatt, LLP 
Sherry P. Porter, Partner, Bricker Graydon and Wyatt, LLP 
Michaela R. Taylor, Associate, Bricker Graydon Wyatt, LLP
Stay ahead of the game – make sure you are up to date on recent changes and guidance related to health care generally and employer-sponsored health and welfare benefit plans. This session will provide you the legal update you need to deal with the ever-changing field of health care law and employer-sponsored health and welfare benefit plans.  Updates on recent legal developments in health care law and regulations, litigation trends and risks and the Affordable Care Act will provide you with the information you need to stay in compliance. The presenters will also provide you a glimpse of likely or anticipated changes in the law as well. You don't want to miss this legal update as you stay ahead of the game on your employees' healthcare and employee benefits.

2:15 p.m.  
Break with Sponsors

2:30 p.m.    
Top 10 Employment Law Updates: What HR Professionals Need to Know 
Macy Young, Associate, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC 
Our Human Resources professionals are expected to know more information than ever before to protect our organizations. Join us for a timely and practical discussion about the Top 10 employment law updates that every HR professional should know. We’ll discuss developments and priorities of the EEOC and NLRB, litigation trends, best practices, and more.  

3:30 p.m.
Worker’s Compensation Update: What HR Professionals Need to Know
H. Douglas Jones, Esq., JSB Attorney, PLLC 
This session will specifically address your workers’ compensation problems, including how to best handle claims from start to finish and how to deal with problem cases. This segment will be tailored to your specific needs because it is highly interactive. With over 30 years of workers’ compensation experience, this speaker has seen it all. A plan to handle your problem issue(s) will be addressed.

4:30 p.m.
Day One Wrap Up
Candra Bryant, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, Chief Operation Officer, Hanna Resource Group

4:35 p.m. 
Day One Adjourns
 

8:00 a.m.  
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Sponsors (provided)

8:30 a.m.  
Welcome and Greeting from Presenting Sponsor 
Candra Bryant, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, President, Hanna Resource Group

8:35 a.m.  
Wage and Hour Update 
Haley Crum, Senior Associate, FBT Gibbons LLP
Kyle D. Johnson, Partner, FBT Gibbons LLP
The Trump Administration came with its share of changes to wage and hour regulations and guidance. In this session, learn about the status of these regulations and receive practical advice about how to navigate wage and hour risks and the new No Tax on Tips and Overtime rules under the new Administration.

10:00 a.m.  
Break with Sponsors

10:15 a.m. 
Updates on FMLA, ADA, and GINA 
Jay Inman, Shareholder, Littler 
We will examine the meaning of “qualified”, including the evidence that courts are using to determine what is an “essential function”, the importance of up-to-date job descriptions, and whether handling job stress and getting along with co-workers are considered “essential”.  In addition, we will discuss developments on the definition of what is a “reasonable accommodation”, what sparks the interactive process, telecommuting requests, and providing an irritant-free workplace. FMLA update will include a review of recent decisions on the importance of clear and accurate communications and tips for managing intermittent leave abuse. This session will also include an update on GINA.

11:45 a.m. 
Lunch with Sponsors (provided)

12:45 p.m. 
Safe at Work: Legal Tactics to Support Workplace Safety and Prevent Workplace Violence 
John Rogers, Of Counsel, Fisher Phillips
This session explores workplace violence in all its forms—physical, verbal, psychological, sexual, and digital—and its impact across industries. The session will provide a practical overview of employer obligations under applicable Kentucky and federal laws, including OSHA requirements and state-specific statutes and mandates, emphasizing compliance in both public and private workplaces. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of risk factors, warning signs, and legal responsibilities related to prevention, reporting, and response. Key takeaways include strategies for developing effective workplace violence prevention programs, conducting threat assessments, training employees and managers, responding to incidents, and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and respect while reducing legal and operational risk.

2:00 p.m. 
Update on Workplace Harassment Law        
August Johannsen, Attorney, Littler 
This session will encompass recent developments in Kentucky workplace harassment law highlighted with a discussion about the most important and interesting developments in legislatures and courts over the past year. We will delve into the facts of some of the most important Kentucky state court and Sixth Circuit decisions reshaping the landscape surrounding Kentucky Civil Rights Act and Title VII harassment protections. Emphasis will also be placed on the recently passed Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 and its effect on sexual harassment claims and arbitration agreements. Please join us as we provide a roadmap for the often-thorny path of harassment investigations.  

3:15 p.m.  
Program Wrap Up
Candra Bryant, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, President, Hanna Resource Group

3:20 p.m. 
38th Annual Kentucky Human Resources Update Adjourns