Government Affairs
MRA’s Government Affairs arm is the ONE authority protecting the opinion and survey research profession now and for the future. MRA’s Government Affairs team advocates for and defends the profession's interests before state and federal legislators and regulators, whenever legislation or regulation might impact research work and the quality of research. The Government Affairs team works on issues of consumer and data privacy, in defense of most every mode and method of research.
MRA also helps educate members of the profession in compliance and best practices for state and federal laws that impact research, assists members in responding to litigation and reviews and files amicus briefs with the courts.
MRA is the only survey and opinion research association advocating for and protecting the research profession. MRA members are constantly updated on all the latest laws and regulations involving opinion and survey research. Members are always encouraged to help protect and promote the whole research profession by volunteering as a grassroots member.
New Massachusetts Data Security Law Went Into Effect March 1st.
Click here for more information.
MRA Volunteer Testifies in Defense of Exit Polling at Committee Hearing
03.04.10
A volunteer leader of the Marketing Research Association (MRA) testified this morning at a Minnesota committee hearing in defense of exit polling. Gayle Belkengren, President of the MRA Minnesota/Upper Midwest Chapter, spoke in the Minnesota State House in support of legalizing exit pollsters’ access to voting places.
More
New Massachusetts Data Security Law Went Into Effect March 1
03.04.10
A survey and opinion researcher who 'owns or licenses' personal information of a Massachusetts resident or employee will be required to comply with a new data security regulation that goes into effect on March 1, 2010. This new regulation will require encryption, the implementation of a comprehensive data security program and security breach notification. Researchers who have Massachusetts employees or research participants that obtain personal information -- according to their business practices, as defined under the regulation -- should immediately institute a compliance program.
More
MRA Endorses Legislation in Support of Exit Polling
02.17.10
The Marketing Research Association (MRA) endorsed legislation today in the state of Minnesota that would make it legal for researchers to do exit polling near a voting place. The bill, S.F. 2388, is being considered today in a hearing of the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations and Oversight.
More
RESEARCH PROFESSION TESTIFIES BEFORE JOINT HOUSE & SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING: DEFENDS MARKETING RESEARCH WITH PHYSICIANS
01.26.10
(St. Paul, MN) Yesterday, the U.S. survey and research profession testified before a joint hearing in the Minnesota House and Senate. The Marketing Research Association’s (MRA) Director of Government Affairs, Howard Fienberg, PLC, defended the use of physician incentives in pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing.
More
New HIPAA Rules go into effect February 17, 2010: Are You Ready?
01.12.10
The HIPAA rules were revamped and dramatically expanded early in 2009 by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (the HITECH Act). New provisions under the HITECH Act require:
More