On August 7, 2023, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. KingSpry’s Employment Law Chair, Avery E. Smith details the significance of the recent efforts and what employers need to know to ensure compliance. Recap: What is the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act … [Read more...] about The EEOC Takes Action to Further Implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Mother Must Show Cause Before Partner Can Adopt Child, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Says
A mother who intended for her long-time partner to adopt a child she had with another man must first show cause as to why she and her partner can’t marry, and then establish why a requirement mandating that both biological parents relinquish their parental rights before an adoption should be excused in her case. The court’s scrutiny of the adoption process in the case –In re Adoption of M.E.L., … [Read more...] about Mother Must Show Cause Before Partner Can Adopt Child, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Says
$9.1 Million New Jersey Bullying Settlement Sends Warning Signal to Schools
According to recent news reports, a New Jersey school district has agreed to pay $9.1 million to the parents of a middle school student who took her own life after being bullied in school and online in 2017. Similar lawsuits against school districts concerning bullying have been making headlines in recent months, with some resulting in multimillion dollar settlements in favor of parents and … [Read more...] about $9.1 Million New Jersey Bullying Settlement Sends Warning Signal to Schools
Passage of the CROWN Act will Amend Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act: What Employers Need to Know
On July 7, 2023, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 1394, commonly referred to as “the CROWN Act”. With significant margins of support, the bill will be reviewed in the state Senate and likely become law. The CROWN Act intends to end hair type, hair texture, and hairstyle discrimination. KingSpry’s Employment Law Attorney, Jody A. Mooney, emphasizes … [Read more...] about Passage of the CROWN Act will Amend Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act: What Employers Need to Know
PA Legislature Seeks to Remove Racially Restrictive Covenants
On June 27, 2023, the Pennsylvania House voted 199-4 to pass House Bill 1289 to the Senate. The Senate has referred the bill to it’s judiciary committee and will be reviewing the bill later this legislative session. The bill provides a process that allows property owners to repudiate racially restrictive covenants from the original language of their property deeds or charters without … [Read more...] about PA Legislature Seeks to Remove Racially Restrictive Covenants
What Schools Should Know About the CROWN Act
On July 7, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the CROWN Act by a 182-21 bipartisan vote. CROWN stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. If the Senate passes the measure, it will amend the state’s Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture or style and apply to both students and employees. To date, about two dozen states … [Read more...] about What Schools Should Know About the CROWN Act
