The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance and recommendations today for schools getting ready to start full in-person instruction again during the pandemic. With the new administration, there has been a strong push for schools to reopen and to get children physically back into the school setting. Guidance Emphasizes Importance of Screening According to a CNN … [Read more...] about CDC Releases Guidelines and Recommendations for Returning to In-Person Instruction
Governor’s Proposed Budget Could Be Game Changer for School Funding
On February 2, 2021, Governor Tom Wolf announced his budget proposal for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Governor Wolf addressed concerns regarding barriers that Pennsylvanians are currently facing, and he emphasized his interests in focusing on Pennsylvania’s ‘unequal and underfunded’ education system. Summary of Education Budget: Basic Education Funding (BEF): Governor Wolf proposed an increase in … [Read more...] about Governor’s Proposed Budget Could Be Game Changer for School Funding
Precedent-Setting Goodwin Opinion Holds Life Insurance Benefits Are Gifts, Not Marital Property
Pennsylvania’s Superior Court, in a precedential opinion, held life insurance death benefits are “gifts” and are therefore not marital property for purposes of equitable distribution. Equitable distribution is a process in which marital property is distributed equitably in a divorce proceeding. A court will only engage in equitable distribution if spouses are unable to agree on a property … [Read more...] about Precedent-Setting Goodwin Opinion Holds Life Insurance Benefits Are Gifts, Not Marital Property
Recent California Supreme Court Ruling May Impact Family Law Custody Evaluations
While evaluating a custody case, attorneys must decide whether to advise their clients to invest in a custody evaluation. A custody evaluation is a process in which a mental health professional, typically a psychologist, evaluates the parents, child(ren), and collateral witnesses to identify issues with the situation and, in some cases, make a recommendation to the court regarding an appropriate … [Read more...] about Recent California Supreme Court Ruling May Impact Family Law Custody Evaluations
Recent Surrogate Controversies Highlight Potential Contractual Issues to Keep in Mind
Two recent surrogacy controversies have emerged over the last couple weeks that highlight potential issues for couples looking to start a family through assisted reproductive technology (ART). New parents, Tammy and Jordan Myers, wish to adopt their twin babies after failed attempts to convince judges to name them the parents of their own biological children. While they are the biological parents … [Read more...] about Recent Surrogate Controversies Highlight Potential Contractual Issues to Keep in Mind
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Finalizes Rule, Providing Federally Funded Programs Discretion on Religious Grounds
Former President Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved a bill that would make it possible for foster care and adoption agencies to refuse LGBTQ families the ability to adopt children based on religious reasons. On January 7th, 2021, the final proposed rule was released, removing regulations barring discrimination on sex, religion, sexual orientation, and gender … [Read more...] about U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Finalizes Rule, Providing Federally Funded Programs Discretion on Religious Grounds
