Empowers

Washington State Empowers Good Samaritans with New Law Protecting Rescuers of Children and Pets from Locked Vehicles

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OLYMPIA, Wash. — A new law is now in effect in Washington State aimed at providing legal immunity to individuals who take the initiative to rescue children or pets from locked vehicles. This legislation is part of a broader set of more than 300 laws that have recently been enacted statewide. Under the new law, individuals who break into a locked vehicle to save someone in imminent danger will be protected from civil lawsuits, provided they act with good intentions. This protection is specifically designed for rescues involving vulnerable persons, including children and adults with … Read more

Italian Court Empowers Climate Activists as ENI Lawsuit Moves Forward, Signaling a Shift in Environmental Accountability

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ROME, Italy — In a significant legal development, Italy’s Supreme Court has greenlit a lawsuit initiated by climate activists against the energy giant ENI, marking a notable moment in the quest for climate accountability in the country. Environmental group Greenpeace, along with ReCommon and twelve Italian citizens, is pursuing damages, alleging that ENI’s practices contribute to climate change damage in Italy. The Court of Cassation announced on Monday that it has dismissed ENI’s attempts to throw out the lawsuit on jurisdictional grounds, allowing the case to proceed in a Roman tribunal. ENI expressed its satisfaction … Read more

Georgia’s Groundbreaking Law Empowers Domestic Violence Survivors to Seek Justice and Shorter Sentences

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ATLANTA – A new law in Georgia promises to bring significant changes for women incarcerated for crimes related to domestic violence. Signed this week by Governor Brian Kemp, the Georgia Justice Survivor Act allows these women to present evidence of abuse during their court proceedings, even after they have been sentenced. This landmark legislation is retroactive, meaning women currently serving time can apply for reduced sentences by demonstrating that their actions were a result of long-term physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Advocates note that many women in prison were acting in self-defense or facing extreme … Read more