Legal Newsline

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Legislation News

Legislation

Tort reform head says PFAS issue could cause runaway litigation

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The president of the American Tort Reform Association told members of Congress on Tuesday that litigation could get out of hand unless federal regulators adopt a commonsense, fair approach to dealing with the PFAS chemicals that activists claim are poisoning the nation’s water supplies.

By John Sammon | Nov 20, 2019

Large joshshapiro

From Penn Record

Critics come out to fight AG Shapiro's proposed antitrust rule; Law prof worries about impact on class actions

By Nicholas Malfitano | 1 month ago

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro wants to supplement regulations which are part of a state consumer protection law, but law scholars and business groups are concerned that he is trying to create a state anti-trust statute in doing so.

Latest News

No evidence to justify entire PFAS chemical family as hazardous, industry groups tell Senate committee

By John Breslin | Oct 1, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – No scientific-based evidence has emerged to justify the listing of all members of a chemical family as hazardous and toxic, according to a coalition of industry groups.

Manufacture of life-saving devices under threat from PFAS legislation, industry says

By John Breslin | Sep 30, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Any legislation designating an entire family of chemicals as hazardous and toxic could deter medical device makers from producing life-saving devices, manufacturers are warning.

Air travelers, manufacturers face extra costs if 'hazardous' chemical amendment passes, AIA leader warns

By John Breslin | Sep 27, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Air travelers and aerospace manufacturers may face extra costs if an amendment designating a family of chemicals as hazardous is included in legislation currently being discussed in congressional conference, an industry leader is warning.

Large shap

From Penn Record

Is AG Shapiro ignoring the legislature as he tries to change state consumer protection law?

By Nicholas Malfitano | 2 months ago

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office is proposing to amend the rule standards contained in the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, an action it claims is necessary but which some observers say is happening without legislative input.

Alaska attorney general recommends that state implement new payroll deduction process in wake of Janus ruling

By Charmaine Little | Sep 4, 2019

JUNEAU, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – On Aug. 27, Alaska Attorney General Kevin G. Clarkson penned a letter to Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy on how a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling concerning union dues and fees will adversely impact all state employees.

Cancer treatment center wants to block Florida law that voids non-compete agreement

By John Breslin | Jul 15, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will fight an attempt by a cancer treatment center company to bar state officials from enforcing a provision within a new law that outlaws certain non-compete agreements.

Business leaders bothered by Kansas Supreme Court's 'awful' decision to remove cap on damages

By John Breslin | Jun 28, 2019

TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) – An industry insider says business leaders in Kansas are reacting with "extreme disappointment" at the decision by the state Supreme Court to scrap the cap on non-economic damages in personal injury actions.

There are bigger problems than PFAS, group for clean water says as Senate attempts regulation

By John O'Brien | Jun 24, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Last week, a U.S. Senate committee strengthened one of the many bills that attempt to regulate chemicals known as PFAS, as critics continue to fight the idea that enough is known about them to pass legislation.

Is Congress' rush to regulate PFAS part of 'hysteria' fed by plaintiffs lawyers?

By John O'Brien | Jun 19, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – They have a catchy, sinister-sounding nickname and have caught the attention of lawyers and politicians. But what these “forever chemicals” don’t have is a known toxicity level.

Oklahoma's governor is worried AG Hunter won't turn $85M opioid settlement over to treasury

By John Sammon | Jun 18, 2019

NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and two high-ranking lawmakers fear that funds from a recent opioid settlement won't head their way and are asking to intervene, claiming Attorney General Mike Hunter's recent $85 million agreement with Teva Pharmaceutical might violate a new state law.

Lawsuit challenges when doctors can refuse treatment based on personal views

By Carrie Bradon | Jun 14, 2019

NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A group of states is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over a regulation that grants health providers the right to deny medical treatment and services based on the provider's personal views.

In New Hampshire, it's a secret which lawyers have been hired for PFAS lawsuits, and their contract could be challenged

By John O'Brien | Jun 11, 2019

CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) – New Hampshire’s attorney general either will be hiring or has already hired a mystery law firm to handle the State’s lawsuits in the burgeoning field of PFAS litigation.

Large americanlawinstitute

From Penn Record

Federalist Society panel contends the ALI, a powerful legal group, has shifted its focus

By Nicholas Malfitano | 6 months ago

WASHINGTON – Is the American Law Institute remaining true to its mission of restating law to produce accurate advisory guidelines for courts to decide cases in various aspects of law, or is it straying into territory apart from that mission?

Six months after federal sentencing act signed, impact still being studied

By John Breslin | Jun 5, 2019

Six months after its December 2018 passing with large bi-partisan support, the details of how an act aimed at reforming federal prison sentencing is impacting the 180,000 federal prisoners is becoming clearer.

Subprime lender challenges Mississippi AG Hood's authority to sue; Hood has hired Motley Rice for case

By Karen Kidd | Jun 4, 2019

JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – Mississippi's attorney general doesn't have authority to pursue an unfair and deceptive trade practices lawsuit, according to a recent filing from a Michigan subprime auto lender that is being sued by the state via a team of outside trial lawyers.

Large terms

From Penn Record

Consumer advocates, business interests form rare alliance to block American Law Institute project

By Daniel Fisher | 6 months ago

WASHINGTON - An unusual coalition of consumer advocates and business interests joined to delay and possibly defeat a controversial “restatement” of consumer contract law that critics said presents a misleading picture of how courts are actually deciding cases in the rapidly evolving area of “clickwrap” and “browsewrap” agreements.

Large americanlawinstitute

From Penn Record

Latest project from American Law Institute 'an abandonment of important principles,' 23 state AGs feel

By Nicholas Malfitano | 6 months ago

WASHINGTON – The attorneys general of 23 states, led by the State of New York, have sent a letter to the American Law Institute (ALI) opposing a proposed Restatement of Consumer Contract Law, set to be voted on at the ALI’s annual meeting this week.

House Dems get screening of anti-PFAS movie, seek regulation as trial lawyers and states use litigation

By Daniel Fisher | May 15, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Congressional Democrats launched their latest push for blanket regulations on widely used industrial chemicals by screening a highly critical documentary film the night before, where invited guests included a partner at a law firm that has filed a lawsuit that seeks damages on behalf of every U.S. citizen.