Same-Sex Couples’ Legal Rights In Pennsylvania As of today, seventeen states plus the District of Columbia recognize gay marriage; eight of these states legalized gay marriage in 2013. Several states have also expanded the legal rights available to same-sex couples through domestic partnerships and civil unions. This trend has gained momentum since the U.S. Supreme Court decision in June, 2013 to … [Read more...] about Same-Sex Couples in Pennsylvania: “Wed-Locked?”
Federal Court Rules School Did Not Violate Section 504 By Having Allergic Student Eat Lunch At a Desk in Cafeteria
In T.F. v. Fox Chapel Area School District, No. 12-01666 (W.D. Pa Nov. 5, 2013), the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has ruled that a school district did not discriminate against a student with a severe tree nut allergy in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Although the school district’s explanation for seating the student alone at a desk in a … [Read more...] about Federal Court Rules School Did Not Violate Section 504 By Having Allergic Student Eat Lunch At a Desk in Cafeteria
Employers Be Aware: The Payroll Fraud Prevention Act of 2013
Last November, 2013, Senator Bob Casey introduced a Senate bill aimed at employers intentionally misclassifying employees as independent contractors in order to avoid payroll taxes and fair labor standards. The Payroll Fraud Prevention Act of 2013 (“PFPA”) represents a growing effort, both at the state and national level, to prevent employers from evading tax laws and depriving employees of … [Read more...] about Employers Be Aware: The Payroll Fraud Prevention Act of 2013
Dramatic and Unheralded Changes Made To The Educator Discipline Act
On December 18, while schools were preparing to shut their doors for the holiday break, Governor Corbett signed into law a series of ten bills designed to improve the way that Pennsylvania handles child abuse reporting and investigations. Slipped in among those changes, however, was a major overhaul of what was known as the “Professional Educator Discipline Act,“ (which, as a result of the … [Read more...] about Dramatic and Unheralded Changes Made To The Educator Discipline Act
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Clarifies Limits on Private Meeting Discussions By Public Entities
December 17, 2013 decision in Smith v. Township of Richmond affirms Commonwealth Court ruling in favor of Township and hones in on the nature of "deliberations." (See MM September 2012 for additional details on the case.) What Happened In 2010, the Township of Richmond was involved in litigation with a cement company and a citizen group regarding the expansion of a limestone quarry into the … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Supreme Court Clarifies Limits on Private Meeting Discussions By Public Entities
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Clarifies Limits on Private Meeting Discussions By Public Entities
December 17, 2013 decision in Smith v. Township of Richmond affirms Commonwealth Court ruling in favor of Township and hones in on the nature of "deliberations." (See SLB 98, September 11, 2012 for additional details on the case). What Happened In 2010, the Township of Richmond was involved in litigation with a cement company and a citizen group regarding the expansion of a limestone quarry into … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Supreme Court Clarifies Limits on Private Meeting Discussions By Public Entities