Thursday, December 2, 2010

Doctors' abortion guidelines overstep law

New Medical Council guidelines for doctors dealing with the issue of abortion have overstepped the law and need to be amended, the High Court has ruled.

Among the requirements in the council's beliefs and medical practice statement, doctors were required to ensure patients were aware that abortion was an option if they were concerned about their pregnancies.

Doctors who did not want to provide the service could refer the request elsewhere, informing the person it could be obtained from another health practitioner, or a family planning clinic.

A group of doctors raised objection to the statement in a judicial review at the High Court in Wellington last month, saying it wrongly required them to give advice that might facilitate the patient obtaining an abortion.

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Visit these site : Family Solicitors

Sunday, November 28, 2010

New laws to tackle binge drinking

Commercial Law
Government plans to crack down on binge drinking and reclaim high streets for "sensible law-abiding drinkers" are set to be unveiled this week.

Home Secretary Theresa May said 24-hour licenses have failed to produce the benefits of a "cafe culture" and tougher action is needed to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder which costs the taxpayer up to £13 billion each year.

The overhaul of licensing laws will give communities greater flexibility to find a solution that suits them, she said. Proposals included tougher penalties for serving under-age drinkers, with fines doubling to £20,000 for persistent offenders, and a late night levy to allow licensing authorities to charge premises which open late for the additional policing.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley confirmed that there would be a ban on selling alcohol at below cost price.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

National terror law watchdog coming soon

Commercial Law
The government is inching toward naming its first terrorism law watchdog, eight months after the post was created.

After years of talk, parliament created the job of National Security Legislation Monitor in March.

The part-time position will be based inside the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and a candidate will be appointed solely by Julia Gillard.

"The government has approached a preferred candidate and negotiations on the appointment are under way," a spokeswoman for Ms Gillard told AAP.

"Once these negotiations have concluded the government will consult with the Opposition on the proposed appointment, in accordance with the legislative requirements."

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Push in Iowa and California For Arizona-Style Immigration Laws

Commercial Law
Supporters of Arizona’s controversial immigration law has groups from other states pushing for ballot initiatives on similar measures.

In Iowa and California, ballot initiatives are moving forward on measures that would allow authorities to check the immigration status of anyone they suspect may be in the country illegally.

A citizens group in Iowa is trying to collect 200,000 signatures to urge lawmakers to pass the law. The Des Moines Register reported that the Minuteman Patriots have sent petitions to 81 counties in the state hoping to reach its goal before the Legislature begins in January.

"We have illegal aliens working here and they are taking the jobs of American citizens," said Craig Halverson, of Griswold, the group's national director.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Kate Wilkinson: Employment Reforms Passed Into Law

Commercial Law
Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson says the passing into law tonight of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill (No 2) and the Holidays Amendment Bill will provide New Zealanders with more opportunities and choice and boost business confidence.

"These two bills improve our employment law framework by promoting greater clarity where required and increasing flexibility and choice for both employers and employees," Ms Wilkinson says.

"This Government is focused on creating jobs and providing the right conditions for economic growth.

"Ensuring that businesses have confidence in our employment framework and aren't bogged down by compliance costs will increase investment in our economy and our communities.

"We want to see New Zealanders in work. We want them to be successful and we back them to make the right decisions for their families."

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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Sharia law dispute goes to court

Commercial Law
A federal judge will hear arguments Monday on a preliminary injunction against one of the most contentious ballot measures in this month's elections -- an Oklahoma referendum that banned state courts from considering international or Islamic law when deciding cases.

U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange already had blocked certification of SQ755, which passed November 2 with 70 % of voters backing the measure. Monday's hearing in her Oklahoma City court will focus on a request for a restraining order that would block the law from taking effect until the lawsuit has been resolved.

The case was brought by Muneer Awad, executive director of the Oklahoma Council for American Islamic Relations, on the grounds that the amendment is religious discrimination and would invalidate his will, which is partially based on Islamic law, also known as Sharia law.

The measure has prompted confusion and heated debate over exactly what the measure would ban, with Muslims and other opponents calling the referendum a cheap bit of “Islamophobia” ginned up against a non-existent problem, while anti-jihad activists and the measure's proponents accuse Muslims of bad faith and blame the state for causing the confusion in the first place.

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Immigration law a threat to Texas competitiveness

Commercial Law
Texas state Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, made headlines recently for prefiling an Arizona-style immigration law called HB 17. An Arizona-style anti-immigration law would be disastrous for Texas.

But there are some major differences between HB 17 and Arizona's law (SB 1070). While Arizona's anti-immigration law is 17 pages long, Riddle's Texas bill is barely more than a page and only deals with identifying and removing undocumented immigrants during police stops if the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect is in the U.S. without proper documentation.

Sounds mild, but the law makes no allowance for legal immigrants, like refugees awaiting court hearings or H-1B visa holders awaiting word for an extension on their visa. Both groups are legally in the U.S. but cannot prove it to police officers. Therefore, HB 17 would drive away many documented immigrants from the state.

Big chunks of the new Arizona law were declared unconstitutional by a U.S. District Court; an appeal by the state is now pending before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Debate swirls around California law allowing non-citizens into college

Commercial Law
SACRAMENTO, CA - Controversy continues to swirl around a California State Supreme Court ruling upholding a law allowing undocumented students to pay in-state fees to attend college.

California enacted the law known as AB540 in 2002. It says non-citizens who establish 3 years of residency can pay in-state tuition fees to attend California colleges and universities.

Some out-of-state students paying higher fees filed suit calling the law unfair. The state supreme court said Monday the law is legal, marking the first ruling of its kind in the nation.

The issue prompted debate among students at CSU Sacramento. Victoria Ramirez said, "I think they should be able to pay less. I think it's okay if they're residents here and have been living here three years."

Monday, November 15, 2010

Pledge law upheld by federal court

Commercial Law
A federal appeals court has found that a New Hampshire law requiring schools to schedule voluntary recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance does not unconstitutionally force religion upon students.

The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by a Hanover couple who claimed the rights of their three young children were violated when elementary school and middle school teachers led their classes in daily recitation of the pledge because it describes the United States as a nation "under God." The parents, identified only as Jan and Pat Doe, said their children, like them, were atheist or agnostic.

The couple in 2007 joined with the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison, Wis., organization promoting the separation of church and state, to sue the local school districts and the federal government. Their lawsuit challenged the constitutionality of the New Hampshire School Patriot Act, a law enacted in 2002 amid discussion of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The law requires schools to establish a time during the school day for students to voluntarily recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It does not require students to stand during the pledge or give any reason for not joining the recitation, but it does ask them to be silent and respectful.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Homeowners: Flush costly septic inspections law down drain

Commercial Law
A new law that requires statewide inspections of septic tanks as a way to reduce pollution in Florida's springs, streams and lakes is under attack as a financial burden on homeowners.

The state Legislature, which convenes Tuesday for a half-day special session, is expected to delay the start of the inspections, scheduled to begin early next year, so lawmakers can reconsider the measure during a regular session that starts in March.

The author of the inspections requirement, former Republican state Sen. Lee Constantine of Altamonte Springs, said last week that a delay would give critics the opportunity to fatally sabotage a tool designed to help Florida address its increasingly costly water woes.

"It's pay me a little now or pay me a lot later," said Constantine, who could not run for re-election this month because of term limits.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Understand changes in health care under new law

Commercial Law
I don't know about you, but I feel increasingly confused as I try to decipher the various details of the new health care law. One thing I do know is that now, more than ever, we consumers must take control of our own health care.

There are new rights, benefits and protections under the Affordable Care Act, which went into effect on September 23. Some highlights of the law include: no more denial of coverage for pre-existing illnesses in children and adults who have been uninsured more than six months, elimination of lifetime dollar limits on benefits, and children may be kept on their parents' policy until age 26.

This just scratches the surface. To help consumers understand their personal health insurance options, the government has created a comprehensive website. The site, www.healthcare.gov, can be a bit overwhelming when you first start navigating it. Look at small sections at a time and don't try and tackle it in one sitting.

Since this is open enrollment time, many of us have insurance coverage decisions to make for the upcoming year. Whether you are staying with your current provider, making a change or receiving coverage for the first time, it is critical to understand costs, benefits and ultimately what will work best for you and your family.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Overhaul of family law gives children priority

Commercial Law
PROPOSED changes to the Family Law Act will offer unprecedented protection to children who have at times been treated as ''chattels'', a Queensland MP says.

Shayne Neumann, with 20 years' experience in family law, says the planned changes released yesterday are a fundamental shift away from the interests of parents back to the interests of children.

"Children are not chattels and these changes recognize that," he said.

The Commonwealth Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and NSW Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos, released an outline of the proposed changes.

They radically alter the approach taken in 2006 under the Howard government, which changed the Family Law Act to emphasize shared parenting.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Liquor law passes first hurdle

The Government's liquor law bill passed its first reading in Parliament today amid strident criticism from opposition MPs who said it would do little to curb binge drinking or reduce the harm alcohol caused.

The Alcohol Reform Bill will enact previously-announced proposals, a raft of law changes affecting the sale and supply of liquor.

It gives local authorities strong powers to decide their own licencing regimes, proposes splitting the purchase age to 18 for bars and 20 for supermarkets and liquor stores, puts restrictions on the supply of liquor to minors and extends the description of public places where drinking can be banned.

Justice Minister Simon Power said risky drinking was becoming increasingly normalised in New Zealand, especially among young people.

"The Government is not going to stand by and allow excessive and harmful alcohol consumption to become further ingrained into our culture," he said.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Disputed French Pension Reform Signed Into Law

Commercial Law
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has signed into law a controversial pension reform that raises France's official retirement age.

The law is published in Wednesday's edition of France's "Official Journal," where all of the country's laws are first published.

Nicolas Sarkozy signed the measure shortly after it was approved on Nov. 9 by the French Constitutional Council, following its adoption by parliament at the end of October.

The law raises the standard retirement age from 60 to 62 also the full state pension age from 65 to 67.

The decision had been opposed by trade unions and many members of the public, who mounted weeks of strikes and mass protests in Oct., causing fuel shortages, in a bid to persuade lawmakers to cancel the reform.

First health law appeal rejected

Commercial Law
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to revive a challenge to President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, leaving intact a ruling that said a California man and an interest group filed their lawsuit prematurely.

The case marks the first time that the high court has been called upon to act on the health care law, which is also being challenged by 20 states in 2 lawsuits.

In rejecting the appeal, the justices dropped a hint that all 9 of them will take part if they ultimately consider the law's constitutionality. Two justices whose participation has been the subject of discussion -- Elena Kagan and Clarence Thomas -- both took part in Monday's action.

Justice Kagan, who served as Mr. Obama's top courtroom lawyer before he appointed her to the Supreme Court, was pressed by Republican senators considering her nomination this year to say whether she would disqualify herself from disputes over the health care law.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Argentine Profit-Sharing Law Threatens Jobs as Investment Lags Chile, Peru

Commercial Law
Argentina’s government is pushing a bill that would require companies to distribute 10 % of profits to employees, a move business leaders say violates property rights and may undermine investment in South America’s second-biggest economy.

Hector Recalde, a 72-year-old lawmaker for President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s Victory Front alliance, said his bill would allow employees to benefit from the surging profits at banks and other industries. Opponents say it would dissuade companies from expanding, buying new equipment and adding jobs. The Labor Committee in Argentina’s lower house will take up the legislation this week.

"Argentina urgently needs more investments and this is going to generate a totally negative effect on jobs,” said Diego Perez Santisteban, president of Argentina’s Importers Chamber. “It can inhibit those who have plans to invest."

The proposal, which opposition leaders said they can support, comes as banks, telecommunications companies and food producers benefit from the country’s economic growth. Argentina’s economy will grow 9 % this year, the most since 2005, according to the central bank’s forecast, after 0.9 % growth last year. The plan may boost trade union support for Fernandez ahead of presidential elections next October, said Analia Del Franco, a political analyst who runs pollster Analogias in Buenos Aires.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Military leaders benefit from pension law

Commercial Law
The National Assembly yesterday brought an end to the controversy over whether past military heads of the federal government should be entitled to pension by approving what amounts to an enhanced pension package for the men through the joint passage of the ‘Remuneration for former presidents, Heads of State, Heads of federal legislative Houses and Chief Justice of the Federation Bill 2010 (SB 153)'.

Currently, the Constitution provides pension for only the president and the vice president, which, according to the 1999 Constitution, will be equivalent to the salary of the incumbent president. However, the new law introduces the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Senate president and his deputy, and the Speaker and his deputy, into the league of past leaders to benefit from the pension.

Past leaders to benefit from the act include Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, and Abdusalami Abubakar.

The law, however, restricts anybody who has held 2 offices that are eligible for the perk to only one - the highest of those offices which s/he has held in order of national precedence. Thus, Olusegun Obasanjo will have to choose whether he would want his pension to be paid as former military ruler or as a democratically elected president.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

As Border Violence Intensifies, Ariz. Gov. Defends New Law

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Seven bodies were found Oct. 31 in a mass grave in Nogales, Arizona’s largest border city. According to a Fox News report, the city’s mayor, José Angel Hernandez, related that officers recovered six bodies and a severed head in a riverbed; a seventh headless body was found nearby.

Though the report did not attribute the deaths to drug-related activity, the bodies were found in an area of the state so well known for border violence that the National Parks have posted signs warning visitors that the area is unsafe.

On Nov. 1, the day after the discovery of the seven bodies, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer appeared in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco to defend the state’s new immigration law, S.B. 1070, which addresses the state’s growing problems of drug-related crimes and an increase in undocumented alien traffic which have caused border violence to spiral out of control.

Governor Brewer and her lawyers faced a panel of 3 judges who questioned the way the law was carried out. Justice Department lawyers say parts of the state law are unconstitutional and would interfere with federal law enforcement.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

More than 200 new laws take effect in Oklahoma

Commercial law
Oklahoma authorities today can begin towing cars of any drivers stopped for traffic violations who don't have insurance or who have been barred from driving.

House Bill 2331, which allows law enforcement officers to seize uninsured cars or vehicles of unlicensed drivers, is among slightly more than 200 new laws going into effect today.

The law requires officers verify compliance with the compulsory insurance law through an online program for all traffic stops. A driver cannot be stopped under the law for the sole purpose of checking for insurance.

A few other traffic-related laws taking effect include allowing motorcyclists and bicyclists to go through red lights in some instances and a ban on using hand-held electronic devices while driving with a learner's permit or a graduated driver's license.

If a driver on a learner's permit or graduated license is talking on a cell phone, text messaging or in any way engaged in using a hand-held device, officers can issue a citation.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Controversial Hobbit law passes

The Government's controversial "Hobbit law" has finally passed in to law - but Labour says it is so badly written that it will do the opposite of what Warner Bros and the Government want.

The Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment Bill was moved under urgency yesterday afternoon and has passed its third and final reading this afternoon.

National, ACT, the Maori Party and UnitedFuture supported the bill. Labour and the Green Party voted against it.

It is designed to stop film contractors switching over to an employee, claiming extra rights.

However, Labour MP Charles Chauvel said the bill would create more litigation, not less.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Internet predator statute blocked

Commercial Law
A federal judge blocked yesterday a new state Internet obscenity law meant to shield children from sexually explicit material, ruling that the statute was written so broadly that it would criminalize legitimate websites and general electronic communication.

The decision was celebrated by civil rights advocates, but it frustrated prosecutors who have encountered difficulty in convicting Internet predators under outdated laws that fail to cover new technologies.

“Due to this preliminary injunction, we are unable to enforce this much needed law,’’ said Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, whose office prosecuted the online predator case that led to yesterday’s ruling.

In that case, a Beverly man was convicted of sending sexually explicit instant messages to a deputy sheriff posing as a 13-year-old girl. But the convictions were overturned in February by the Supreme Judicial Court, which said Massachusetts law did not cover Internet communication and urged the Legislature to update the statute.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Federal court makes decision on Arizona immigration law

Commercial Law
A federal appeals court has ruled against an Arizona law that requires residents to prove their U.S. citizenship to register to vote, but upheld a part of the same law that mandates residents to show identification before voting.

The decision made by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Tuesday was part of an ongoing court battle surrounding Arizona's Proposition 200.

Arizona passed the law in 2004, prompting legal challenges.

Arizona's Gov. Jan Brewer and Secretary of State Ken Bennett blasted the court's decision Tuesday in a joint statement.

"The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down a simple, common sense protection approved by Arizona voters requiring that all individuals provide evidence of U.S. citizenship prior to registering to vote. This decision is an outrage and a slap in the face to all Arizonans who care about the integrity of their elections," the statement said.

Monday, October 25, 2010

'Super Drunk' Law Takes Effect October 31

Commercial Law
If you are arrested for drunk driving and it's your first time, you can lose your license, pay a fine or get jail time but if you're super drunk, you're looking at much bigger penalties.

"The high BAC bill targets first time offenders who register a .17 or above," said Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings, III.

That is more than twice the legal limit. A third of all drunk driving arrests in Michigan result in blood alcohol contents of .17 and above. The new "super drunk" category of the law combats a growing problem.

"When we arrest people who are drinking and driving we're finding that blood alcohol limits are going up," said Inspector Gene Adamczyk of the Michigan State Police.

Starting October 31st, if a person gets convicted of driving super drunk the penalties increase to include: Up to 180 days in jail, a fine of at least $200, up to one year license suspension, points on your driving record, up to 360 hours of community service and mandatory rehabilitation.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Centre rules out relook at civil nuclear liability law

Commercial Law
A Florida Senate committee has recommended making it tougher for political candidates to switch or leave parties in mid-campaign, a move spurred by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's bolt from the Republican Party to run as an independent for U.S. Senate.

The Florida Senate Ethics and Elections Committee also calls for a "sore-loser statute" that would prohibit party-affiliated candidates who lose a primary from re-entering the race as in independent.

"The issue is whether Florida law regarding candidates who change political parties while running for office is unambiguous and expansive enough to promote the state's interests in political stability and maintaining integrity in the various routes to the ballot," said a report released this month by the committee. "After careful review, some changes appear worthy of consideration."

The panel cited other states, including California and Colorado, that have stricter election laws regarding candidates switching or leaving parties.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Federal Grants Give $2.7 Million to Minnehaha County Law Enforcement

Commercial Law
Nearly 3 million dollars going towards improving Sioux Falls law enforcement. Officials say they have the 2009 stimulus package to thank for that money.

KDLT's Jesse Batson shows us how that money has been spent so far and what improvements are still to come in the future.

City, county and state officials say local law enforcement will soon be stronger and more efficient.

Nine new police officers were hired to the Sioux Falls Police Dept, thanks to $1.9 million in federal grants. The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office received over 8-hundred thousand dollars of their own.

"Even though Minnehaha County didn't receive COPS Grant funded positions, we certainly were recipients of the Byrne JAG Grant Stimulus funds, which were very beneficial to us," said Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

New Law to Provide Breast Cancer Patients With More Information

Commercial Law
NEW YORK—Hospitals will be required to inform breast cancer patients about all of their options regarding reconstructive surgery starting January 1, 2011, on account of the new law passed earlier this year.

While insurance companies already cover reconstructive surgery under the current state and federal law, the new legislation will ensure that women undergoing mastectomy, lymph node dissection, or lumpectomy are given the necessary information regarding their breast reconstructive surgery options.

State Senate President Malcolm A. Smith said the law is designed to limit disparity by providing education.

“This law guarantees that when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she will be given more information that clearly explains her rights to coverage and her options as they relate to reconstruction,” said Smith in a statement.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Study: Teen crashes down due to GDL law

Commercial Law
A new study shows crashes involving teenaged drivers in Delaware are down 30 % since the state's graduated driver's license law took effect in 1999.

The study, done by the University of Delaware, also shows late-night driving by 16-year-olds is down by 59 %.

The study also attributes the drop in crashes to parental supervision requirements and other restrictions placed on younger drivers, including limits on the number of passengers a teen can have in their car, a ban on cell phone use and a requirement that teens with learner's permits wear their seatbelts in order to keep the permits.

To see the study's findings, go to ohs.delaware.gov and click on "teen driving".

Ruling on Health Law Is Due by End of Year

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RICHMOND, Va. — A federal judge said Monday that he would rule by the end of the year on the constitutionality of the new health care law, as lawyers for the Obama administration and the Commonwealth of Virginia debated whether the entire 2,700-page act should be invalidated if a key provision is struck down. 
In a nearly three-hour hearing, a lawyer for the commonwealth argued that if Judge Henry E. Hudson of Federal District Court finds unconstitutional the provision that requires Americans to have health insurance, he should declare the entire law void until the Supreme Court can review it. The lawyer noted that in writing the legislation, Congress failed to include “severability” language to specify that the rest of the law would survive.
The Justice Department concedes that some of the most essential insurance changes, including requiring insurers to cover those with pre-existing conditions, will have to be scrapped if the coverage requirement loses in the courts. The administration maintains that the regulations can work only if everyone is required to have coverage, so people will not simply wait until they get sick to buy policies.
But the federal government’s lawyers argued on Monday that other provisions, like the vast expansion of Medicaid eligibility, could survive, and that the judge should keep the law in effect during the appeals process.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Ghana to get Petroleum Law before budget is read

COMMERCIAL LAW
The Petroleum Exploration and Production Bill and Petroleum Revenue Management Bill would be passed before the budget for 2011 would be read in November, this year.

Mr. Cletus Avoka, Majority Leader in Parliament, said when Parliament resumes sitting on Oct. 19, efforts would be made to ensure that those bills are passed.

He, therefore, urged the committee working on the bills to expedite action to get the bills ready for the House to debate on them so that it would have time to scrutinize the budget without interruption.

Mr. Cletus Avoka said this at a three-day workshop, organized by the Parliamentary Centre, with support from the Revenue Watch Initiative and the Canadian Parliamentary Centre for a section of Parliamentarians.

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Friday, October 15, 2010

Indonesia revokes book-ban law

COMMERCIAL LAW
JAKARTA - The Indonesian Constitutional Court has struck down a law on book-banning that has been used to stifle dissent, in a landmark ruling welcomed by historians, authors and rights activists.

For more than 4 decades since the days of former President Suharto, the Attorney-General's office could unilaterally prohibit publication or distribution of books deemed "offensive" or a "threat to public order".

But the court ruled on Wednesday such power should rest with a judicial court.

"The sole authority of the Attorney-General to ban the distribution of printed materials without due process of law is a characteristic of an authoritarian state and not a law-based state like Indonesia," Constitutional Justice Muhammad Alim said, the Jakarta Post reported.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Changes to parole law fail

COMMERCIAL LAW
House and Senate Republicans failed in their attempts to get the Legislature to reconsider part of a parole law that passed last session.

As legislators returned to Concord yesterday to reconsider 5 bills vetoed by Gov. John Lynch, Republican leaders in both chambers tried to introduce new legislation to amend the parole law. Because the rules do not allow new legislation to be introduced on veto day, the Republicans had to suspend the rules. The House voted against suspending the rules, 193-143. The Senate rejected the motion 14-10. In both cases, the votes were largely along party lines, with Democrats opposed to bringing the parole bill, Senate Bill 500, back.

"As a father, grandfather and state senator who presides over some of the most dangerous, crime-filled neighborhoods in the city of Manchester, I can stand here today and tell you S.B. 500 makes New Hampshire a safer place than it was before this bill was enacted," said Manchester Democratic Sen. Lou D'Allesandro. "This bill does more than we've ever done before to address recidivism."

Duke can use trees for power plant fuel

COMMERCIAL LAW
Duke Energy will be able to use whole trees harvested for power plant fuel, the N.C. Utilities Commission says.

A commission order Monday clarified the type of wood that may be used under the state's 2007 renewable-energy law. Wood is part of a broad category of organic fuels called biomass that will play a large role in helping utilities meet the state green-energy mandate.

Utilities, environmental advocates and the wood-products industry had awaited the decision. All have an interest in whether the state's forests, long used for lumber and wood products, could also be used to make electricity.

Duke had argued that the state green-energy law allowed any type of wood to be burned, including whole trees chipped into fuel. Limiting it to the "wood waste" referred to in the law would not provide enough fuel for power plants, the utility said.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Error in pension law thwarts mayor's plan

COMMERCIAL LAW
The Legislature must correct an error in Act 44, last year's pension system overhaul, if Pittsburgh is to raise the parking tax next year as part of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's proposed lease of parking facilities.

Among other provisions affecting municipalities statewide, Act 44 gave Pittsburgh officials until the end of this year to get the city pension fund 50 % funded. Otherwise, the state would take it over.

As an incentive to act, the law says Pittsburgh can increase its parking tax from 37.5 % to 40 % if it leases or sells parking assets and uses the proceeds to help the pension fund.

But the law says the proceeds must be deposited with the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System, the entity that already manages 900 municipal pension plans. Instead, officials said, the law should say that Pittsburgh can raise the parking tax if it sells or leases the parking assets and applies the proceeds to the city pension fund.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Israel adopts law forcing citizens to pledge allegiance to a ‘Jewish state’

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JERUSALEM  - The Israeli government voted Sunday afternoon on a draft to amend a law which requires all candidates for Israeli citizenship to give a pledge of allegiance to the “Jewish and democratic state of Israel”.

A report issued by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that 22 ministers voted in favor of the draft to amend the law, against 8 others who opposed.

Israeli efforts to adjust the citizenship law to a law of allegiance to Israel sparked reactions by analysts and politicians, who have confirmed that the decision goes against international norms and laws.

Benjamin Netanyahu said today that the law of allegiance to Israel reflects the compendium of Zionist principles and nature of the Israeli state.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

French burqa law clears final legal hurdle

COMMERCIAL LAW
PARIS, October 8 (UPI) -- France's top constitutional authority has ruled a law that outlaws wearing a burqa or other Islamic face covering in public is constitutional.

The law, which was overwhelmingly approved in both houses of the French legislature, is set to take effect next spring, CNN reported. Wearing such apparel would be punishable by a fine of as much as $190 and offenders would be required to attend a citizenship course.

The fine for forcing a woman to wear a burqa or a niqab -- a veil that exposes only the eyes -- will be $19,000. The French government said forcing women to wear such items is "a new form of enslavement that the republic cannot accept on its soil," CNN said.

The French Constitutional Council found the punishment provided under the law is not disproportionate and doesn’t prevent the free exercise of religion in a place of worship, CNN said.

A survey conducted this year by the Pew Global Attitudes Project found 82 % of those polled approved of a ban and 17 % disapproved.

Amnesty International has criticized the ban, saying it would violate European human rights law.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Law enforcement's limits in wiretapping the Internet

COMMERCIAL LAW
WIRETAPPING THE Internet is nothing new. Law enforcement agencies for years have been able to seize information from communications providers, as long as they obtain a court order.

But new technologies have hampered law enforcement officials' ability to quickly retrieve information that a judge has determined they are entitled to.

A few problems appear to have relatively easy fixes. For instance, some e-mail services are not subject to the wiretap law because their parent companies are classified as information services and not as communications providers.

A change in the statute to include all e-mail -- regardless of the classification of the parent company -- should bring such products into the fold.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Oil industry aids effort to suspend CA climate law

COMMERCIAL LAW
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With major contributions from the oil industry, supporters of a ballot initiative to suspend California's landmark greenhouse gas emissions law reported a fundraising tally Tuesday of more than $5.2 million in the past 3 months.

The numbers disclosed by the Yes on 23 campaign reflected the continued backing of three out-of-state oil companies — Valero Corp. and Tesoro Corp. of Texas, and Flint Hills Resources, a Wichita, Kan.-based company owned by Koch Industries.

The companies contributed a combined $5 million during the period ending September 30.

In all, the campaign has raised $8.3 million during the first nine months of the year and has $3.1 million remaining cash on hand.

Opponents of the initiative said they expected the petroleum industry to keep pouring money into Proposition 23 before the November 2 vote.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Online name suppression laws to be tightened

COMMERCIAL LAW
A notice-and-take-down provision for internet hosts and ISPs that facilitate breach of Court name-suppression orders is part of planned changes to the law governing suppression of name and other details of defendants, victims and witnesses. The planned changes were announced by Justice Minister Simon Power today.

Reform follows a Law Commission paper on suppression and include “introducing a new offence to capture New Zealand-based internet service providers or content hosts who do not remove locally hosted suppressed information which they know is in breach of a suppression order, and who fail to block access or remove it as soon as reasonably practicable.”

The suggested reforms will also increase the penalties for breach of name-suppression and evidence-suppression orders. The maximum fine for organizations that breach suppression goes up from $5,000 to $100,000.

For individuals breaching suppression orders the maximum term of imprisonment will be doubled, from 3 months to 6 months. “Judges will also be able to impose a fine of their discretion in lieu of imprisonment if the circumstances warrant it,” says Power. The current maximum fine is $1,000.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Supreme Court is told human law should reflect God's law

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WASHINGTON (AP) - 5 of the 9 U.S. Supreme Court justices have been told at the annual Red Mass for the legal profession that they're subject to a higher law.

On the eve of their new term, Chief Justice John Roberts and justices Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito Clarence Thomas and Stephen Breyer sat in the front row of St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, along with Vice President Joseph Biden.

In the homily, Vatican Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia indirectly denounced abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriage. He said laws must reflect divine principles, including what he called "the inviolability of innocent life from conception to natural death" and "the sanctity of marriage."

He said the legal profession is charged with protecting rights that come from God, not from government.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

At Hearing, a Dispute Over Banking Provision in Reform Law

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WASHINGTON — The unity of regulators who have to put the Dodd-Frank financial reform law into effect was put to the test at a Congressional hearing Thursday as squabbling emerged over a provision affecting lenders.

The disagreement involved a measure requiring lenders to keep at least 5 % of the credit risk when they bundle and sell debt.

Before the housing market collapsed in 2007, many mortgage originators made reckless loans, in part because they were able to quickly sell them to other investors to lay off the risk. The new law required regulators to change that.

So on Monday, the board of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation voted 4 to 1 to approve a rule that makes “risk retention” by banks a condition for any bank that wants protection under new accounting rules if the bank were to fail.

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State anti-illegal immigration law draws fire

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JACKSON — Critics of a proposed anti-illegal immigration law in Mississippi called it an unfunded mandate for law enforcement and urged the state to avoid rushing to adopt a measure akin to Arizona’s.

An immigrant advocacy group’s lawyer also called moving toward an Arizona-styled law a form of “hysteria” by those seeking scapegoats in an economic downturn.

Patricia Ice, legal project director for the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, told a state Senate panel on Wednesday that illegal immigrants aren’t a drain on state finances. Ice said some of the state’s illegal immigrants pay income tax and all pay sales taxes.

A Senate judiciary committee held hearings on a proposal that requires police enforcing other laws to check the status of those they suspect are in the country illegally. Mississippi is among several states considering such a law.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Indiana Retailers Finding Alcohol ID Law Challenging

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INDIANAPOLIS – Both clerks and customers are getting a bit fed up with the change to Indiana law that requires anyone purchasing alcohol to show a government-issued photo ID, WRTV reports. The law took effect in July.

The problem comes when store owners have to refuse to sell alcohol to long-term customers because of lack of ID. Some view the law as an example of unnecessary government intervention. “Carding everyone looks silly. I mean, I come in there, and he wants my ID,” said Otis Bell, of whom there is no doubt of his over-21 age.

Stores and customers have complained enough that some state lawmakers are considering a change to the law during the upcoming legislative session that starts early next year. Sen. Jim Merritt would like to amend the law to apply to customers who look to be under 40.

Bob Graves of Alabama Liquors said looking at everyone’s ID slows the lines and can cut down on sales. “People are 30, 40, 50 years old, and you have to card them at my employer’s expenses. It’s not fair,” he said.

Monday, September 27, 2010

New Massachusetts law banning texting while driving starts Thursday

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Most people nowadays seem to have a scary story involving cell phones and driving.

For Luis Hernandez, 21, of Holyoke, interviewed Sunday at the Holyoke Mall, his came Saturday. "I almost got hit yesterday by a woman while she was texting. She swerved into my lane, wasn't even looking," he said.

That's why he counts himself an avid supporter of the new Safe Driving law, a state law that goes into effect Thursday banning all drivers from texting while driving, and prohibiting anyone under 18 from all cell phone use while driving.

"The law keeps everybody safe. You've got to think about the children, not just the drivers," said Hernandez.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

U.S. Is Working to Ease Wiretaps on the Internet


WASHINGTON — Federal law enforcement and national security officials are preparing to seek sweeping new regulations for the Internet, arguing that their ability to wiretap criminal and terrorism suspects is “going dark” as people increasingly communicate online instead of by telephone.

Essentially, officials want Congress to require all services that enable communications — including encrypted e-mail transmitters like BlackBerry, social networking sites like Facebook and software that allows direct “peer to peer” messaging like Skype — to be technically capable of complying if served with a wiretap order. The mandate would include being able to intercept and unscramble encrypted messages.

The bill, which the Obama administration plans to submit to lawmakers next year, raises fresh questions about how to balance security needs with protecting privacy and fostering innovation. And because security services around the world face the same problem, it could set an example that is copied globally.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

WISPIRG highlights how new federal health care law affects young people

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Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group held a press conference yesterday highlighting how the new federal health care law will affect young people, particularly students, as part of the group's Health Care Day of Action.

Wisconsin State Representative Kelda Helen Roys, Wisconsin State Senator and Chair of the Senate Health Committee John Erpenbach, and Citizen Action of Wisconsin Director Robert Craig spoke about how the new law directly and positively affects students.

As of yesterday, when parts of the law went into effect, a projected 14,700 young adults in Wisconsin will be allowed to remain on their parents' health insurance plans until age 26.

"With outrageous student loans, the last thing students should have to worry about are health care debts upon graduation," said Gardner.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

NSW looks at new law to stop inmates having Facebook profiles

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The NSW government has refused to rule out introducing legislation that would ban Facebook profiles being created on behalf of NSW prisoners.

The Corrective Services Minister, Phil Costa, said he would seek to have prisoners' profiles removed from Facebook after revelations on this site that inmates of SuperMax, where the worst criminals are kept, have a presence on the social media website.

Family and friends are believed to manage the profiles, helping inmates to stay in touch with the outside world.

The opposition said the government and prison authorities would be embarrassed by the online profiles and possible security breaches but conceded that laws to police postings would be difficult to put in place.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

State workers feeling pain of implementing health-care law

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Even as President Obama prepares to acknowledge the six-month mark since he signed his health-care overhaul into law, the legislation remains something of a mystery for patients and politicians alike. Its impact is instead being felt largely by state workers nationwide whose job is to implement the law - and thus begin the mammoth task of transforming the care Americans receive.

For legions of men and women such as James Focht, who coordinates health information technology for the District, that means longer hours and extra work.

When Focht's alarm clock screeched at 3:45 one recent morning, he pulled himself out of bed in the dark, switched on a computer and started tapping out a proposal for a federal grant that would make it easier for hospitals, doctors and other providers to share electronic patient records. He hurried to finish his draft, take a shower and get to work at the D.C. Department of Health Care Finance by 8:15 a.m. so that other executives could edit the proposal and send to the Department of Health and Human Services by 5 p.m.

Monday, September 20, 2010

New Law Allows NY Gay Couples To Adopt

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ALBANY --  A new New York State law permits unmarried partners -- including gay couples -- to jointly adopt a child.

Governor David Paterson signed the measure on Monday.  It also substitutes the gender-neutral term "married couple" in the adoption statute for "husband and wife."

Gay individuals can already legally adopt in New York, but state law doesn’t permit same-sex marriages.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Health care law provisions to take effect on Thursday

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Six provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that were signed into law March 24 will take effect  September 23.

Some provisions are the extension of coverage for young adults to age 26, free preventive services — such as immunizations for children — on new plans and the prohibition of exclusion of children because of preexisting conditions. The provisions also include the limitation of lifetime limits on insurance coverage for new plans, the regulation of annual limits on insurance coverage for new plans that cost less than $750,000 and the ban on insurance companies from lifting coverage after it has been purchased.

Source: The Commonwealth Fund, which is a private foundation that conducts independent research on health care issues.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Energy Interests Spending Big to Stop California Emissions Law

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In 2012, a California law aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state by roughly 25 % over the next decade, is scheduled to go into effect. The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006  (or AB 32,) will give the California Air Resources Board sweeping new powers to set emissions limits and reduction measures—and set the stage for the creation of a regional cap and trade system called the Western Climate Initiative.

But a powerful group of business interests including 2 billionaire brothers who recently came into the public eye for their role in financing the Tea Party, are hoping to head off AB 32 with a ballot measure called Proposition 23, or "the California Jobs Initiative." Charles and David Koch, whose Koch Industries has an annual revenue approaching $100 billion—and has several times been ranked among the country's top air polluters—have donated $1 million to groups organizing for the law.

The campaign, which emanates from a series of political action committees, reportedly has received 98 percent of its funding from a group of oil companies led by Valero Energy Corp. and the Tesoro Corporation—with 89 % of that money coming from out-of-state. (Koch Industries is based in Wichita, Kans.)