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
New State Law Will Increase Regulations On Child Labor
As states across the nation rollback child labor laws, the Pennsylvania Legislature intends to combat weakened laws in an effort to protect minor workers. On June 28, 2023, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 1354, which will increase the penalties for employers who are found to be violating Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act. KingSpry’s Employment Law Chair Avery E. … [Read more...] about New State Law Will Increase Regulations On Child Labor
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Upholds Doctrine of Exclusivity in Workers’ Compensation Cases
On April 19, 2023, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a significant decision, which enforced the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act’s Exclusivity provision. In its opinion, the court addressed employers’ immunity in personal injury civil litigation matters. KingSpry’s Employment Law Chair, Avery E. Smith, details the Court’s opinion in Franczyk v. The Home Depot, Inc. Case … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Supreme Court Upholds Doctrine of Exclusivity in Workers’ Compensation Cases
Can a School Board Member Block a Critical Parent on Social Media? SCOTUS Agrees to Hear Case
While social media can be an effective and efficient tool to communicate with parents and other stakeholders, its role in public education has come under scrutiny in recent years and has even landed some school districts in the middle of lawsuits. One lawsuit likely to shed some light on what school board members can and cannot do when using their social media accounts is O’Connor-Ratcliff v. … [Read more...] about Can a School Board Member Block a Critical Parent on Social Media? SCOTUS Agrees to Hear Case
Supreme Court Says “NO” to Affirmative Action
“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.” -- John Lydgate, 14th century poet priest Lydgate’s famous quotation characterizes most U.S. Supreme Court decisions, but none more so than its recent decision ruling that affirmative action on the basis of race in higher … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Says “NO” to Affirmative Action
Pennsylvania Legislature to Curb Distracted Driving
Drivers can expect Senate Bill No. 37 to mandate enhanced responsibility while operating a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth. On June 22, 2023, the PA Senate passed SB 37, which will prohibit the use of hand-held devices while driving. KingSpry’s Taisha Tolliver-Duran, Esq. emphasizes what you need to know to avoid litigation and increased insurance rates subsequent to distracted driving in … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Legislature to Curb Distracted Driving
