Law News

Illinois becomes first state to sign law eliminating cash bail

Bizar Male 15 hours ago

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) has signed sweeping criminal justice reform legislation this week that would end cash bail statewide by 2023.

Why it matters: Illinois is the first state to move to eliminate cash bail, which critics say is a “poor people’s tax” that benefits the wealthy who can afford to post bail, and disproportionately affects people of color.

How it works: Under the new law, most defendants would be released while awaiting trial unless a judge rules otherwise, per Chicago’s WGN9.

What they’re saying: Pritzker said in a statement the legislation “marks a substantial

… Read the rest

Bill mandating in-person learning in Virginia closer to becoming law

Bizar Male 16 hours ago

Virginia Democratic Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg said the bill will have schools open safely, make sure teachers and school staff have access to COVID-19 vaccines and won’t force students back into in-person learning.

A bill requiring Virginia schools to offer full-time, in-person learning is on its way to the House of Delegates.

Senate Bill 1303, which had bipartisan sponsorship, was presented to the House Education Committee on Monday.

Virginia Democratic Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, who’s a sponsor of the bill, said it will have schools open safely, make sure teachers and school staff have access to COVID-19 vaccines, but won’t force students

… Read the rest

Cuomo Health Dept. duped, forced to use Hong Kong law firm to recoup COVID cash

Bizar Male 17 hours ago

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration got swindled trying to buy millions of dollars of Chinese medical gear amid the coronavirus crisis — and has been forced to hire a law firm in Hong Kong in a bid to recoup the taxpayer money it lost, The Post has learned.

The state Department of Health signed a $125,000 contract with the overseas lawyers, Gall Solicitors late last year, according to records posted online by the state Comptroller’s Office.

The one-year pact was exempted from a “pre-audit” by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli under pandemic-related emergency powers Cuomo granted himself on March 7 — and which

… Read the rest

UPDATE 3-Australia’s antitrust chief claims victory after Facebook standoff

Bizar Male 18 hours ago

* Australia’s Senate votes for amendments

* Some politicians concerned changes bad for smallerpublishers(Writes through, adds Rod Sims quotes)

By Byron Kaye and Colin Packham

CANBERRA, Feb 24 (Reuters) – The architect of Australia’slaws forcing Google and Facebook to pay media companiesfor content claimed victory on Wednesday though critics saidlast-minute changes to appease Facebook favoured Big Tech oversmaller news outlets.

After tense negotiations prompted Facebook to cut off newsin the country last week, Australia offered a host of technicalconcessions and the social media giant said it would restorenews as the revamped bill looked set to become law this week.

Even

… Read the rest

What Is The Equality Act? Anti-Discrimination Law Explained : NPR

Bizar Male 19 hours ago

Protesters gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington where the Court on Oct. 8, 2019, as the court heard arguments in the first case of LGBT rights since the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Susan Walsh/AP


hide caption

toggle caption

Susan Walsh/AP

Protesters gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington where the Court on Oct. 8, 2019, as the court heard arguments in the first case of LGBT rights since the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Susan Walsh/AP

The House of Representatives is set to vote Wednesday on the Equality Act, a bill that would ban

… Read the rest