SCOTUS Halts Vax Or Test Rule For Large Private Employers But Lets Health Care Rule Take Effect
1/13/22
In two opinions issued today, the U.S. Supreme Court put a hold on a federal rule requiring large employers to adopt a vaccine or test policy but allowed the Biden administration to enforce a similar rule applicable only to …
No mask required: Fifth Circuit grants stay in E.T. v. Paxton
12/16/21
By: Tia J. Combs
On July 29, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas issued Executive Order GA-38, which provided, among other things, that “[n]o governmental entity, including…a school district…and no governmental official may require any person to wear a face …
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Announce New "Safer at Home" Restrictions
11/18/20
By: Justin Boron
The City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania announced new measures this week aimed at curbing the spike in COVID cases in the region, but neither appear to be ready to initiate a broad-based shutdown like …
Georgia Enacts Immunity for COVID-19 Claims
8/17/20
By: Jake Daly
As described in my previous post, the Georgia General Assembly passed a bill in the waning minutes of the 2020 session to provide immunity from civil damages for healthcare facilities and providers, other businesses, and individuals …
Statute of Limitations Tolled in California Amid Pandemic
8/3/20
By: Matthew Jones
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom issued a “state of emergency” for the entire State. In response, the California Judicial Council adopted several Emergency Rules to implement during the pandemic. In particular, Rule 9 states …
COVID-19 in Jails: A Case Study
5/22/20
By: Wes Jackson
By now we are all familiar with the CDC’s recommendations for limiting the spread of COVID-19: “social distancing,” maintaining a distance of six feet from others as much as possible, avoiding large gatherings, and self-isolation if you …
5/5/20
By: Wayne Melnick and Janeen Smith
Georgia’s on-the-road driving test joins the ever-growing list of changes to life as we know it as a result of COVID-19. A new generation of drivers will be hitting the roads in Georgia soon, …
Requests for Compassionate Release in the Era of COVID-19
5/4/20
By: Curt Graham
Correctional facilities across the country are facing unique challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some facilities have already reduced inmate populations in an effort to curb its effects. Additionally, courts are receiving an unprecedented number of requests …
Stay at Home Orders Under Attack – What are the Limits and Rights of State Governments?
4/22/20
By: Marc Finkel
Faced with the uncertainty of navigating through a global pandemic, governors throughout the United States have issued a series of executive orders aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Many of these executive orders have …
Federal Judge Refuses to Enjoin Kentucky Governor from Restricting Interstate Travel
4/6/20
By: Barry Miller
A federal judge has refused to halt enforcement of an order that directed Kentuckians not to travel outside the state for two weeks because of COVID-19.
Governor Andy Beshear issued the order on March 30. It makes …
COVID-19: Protecting Those Who Protect Us
4/2/20
By: Parisa Saleki
The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (Public Law 105–19) came into effect over two decades ago with a simple goal: promote volunteerism by limiting, and sometimes eliminating, a volunteer’s risk of tort liability. The recently enacted Coronavirus …
Nursing Homes at Highest Risk, States Respond
4/1/20
States across the country are taking every measure possible to fight the spreading deadly COVID-19. One of the most at-risk groups are the elderly, especially those with lengthy lists of other health problems. In those instances …