Maryland’s Enhanced “Grace’s Law 2.0” Cyber-Bullying Legislation: Legal Concerns and Free Speech Implications
The State of Maryland recently enacted a significant revision to its “cyber-bullying” statute, known as “Grace’s Law 2.0,” which aims to strengthen the state’s ability to prosecute malicious online speech. While proponents of the law emphasize its goal is to modify behavior and foster a more respectful online environment, critics contend that the legislation’s broad […]
Flaws in the Federal Hate Crime Count: Examining Data Reliability and Legal Concerns
The legal framework surrounding hate crimes has persistently generated complex questions regarding their equitable implementation, both in theory and practical application. When these laws are enacted at the federal level, they introduce broader concerns, including the potential for overextension of federal criminal law and possible encroachments upon the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy. Exacerbating these […]
The Supreme Court Considers “Bare-Metal” Liability in Asbestos Litigation
Modern asbestos litigation is often characterized as a continuous search for a solvent defendant. The case of Air and Liquid Systems v. DeVries, which was argued before the Supreme Court in October, brings a critical question to the forefront: Can companies that manufactured products containing no asbestos be held liable for asbestos-related injuries? Liability, in […]
Washington Court Invalidates Seattle’s “First-in-Time” Tenant Ordinance
A Washington court recently invalidated a Seattle ordinance that mandated landlords rent to the first qualified prospective tenant who submitted an application. This law, often referred to as a “first-in-time” rule, was enacted with the stated aim of mitigating the effects of unconscious or implicit bias in the tenant selection process. Grounds for the Decision […]
Investigation into Alleged Fraudulent Claims in Class Action Settlement
A United States District Judge has recently taken action regarding a significant number of potentially fraudulent claims filed in a class action settlement involving several prominent technology companies. Judicial Referral for Investigation U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar of the Northern District of California has requested that federal prosecutors investigate nearly 6,000 potentially bogus claims submitted […]
Constitutional Challenge to Seattle’s “First-in-Time” Tenant Selection Rule
The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) is currently challenging a Seattle ordinance that restricts a landlord’s ability to choose their own tenants. This legal action, titled Yim v. City of Seattle, contests an anti-discrimination law requiring property owners to rent a unit to the first person who submits a complete application—a mandate commonly referred to as […]
The Right to Breastfeed in Public: Virginia Law and Religious Institutions
In 2015, Virginia, following the trend of many other states, enacted a law affirming the right of women to breastfeed in any location where they are otherwise legally permitted to be. This legislation, codified in Va. Code $\S$ 2.2-1147.1, explicitly states, “A mother may breastfeed a child in any place where the mother is lawfully […]
Eleventh Circuit Affirms First Amendment Protection for Labeling Skim Milk
Overview of the Case The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit recently addressed a First Amendment challenge concerning the mandated labeling of skim milk in Florida. The case centered on a state law that permitted the sale of skim milk without the common fortification of vitamins A and D, but required that […]
The Cato Handbook for Policymakers: Debating Proposals in Labor, Employment, and Minimum Wage Law
The publication of the 8th Edition of the Cato Handbook for Policymakers has generated significant discussion, particularly concerning the chapters on labor and employment law and the minimum wage. Controversial Labor and Employment Proposals The chapter addressing labor and employment law, authored by the original source, has garnered notable attention for its sweeping proposals. These […]
Judicial Review and Executive Power: A Forward-Looking Perspective
Critique of Judicial Restraint in the Regulatory Sphere The current discourse concerning the appropriate scope of judicial review over executive actions, particularly in the regulatory realm, often appears to be influenced by past political battles. Some critics on the political left have continued to characterize judges as “activist” for rulings that restrain the executive branch, […]