Exemption

Federal Judge Reverses CFPB’s Medical Debt Exemption, Citing Fair Credit Reporting Act Violations

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A federal judge in the United States has invalidated a rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that aimed to remove medical debt from credit reports. The ruling drew attention to the limits of the agency’s authority, asserting that the proposal violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The CFPB’s initiative was based on extensive research suggesting that medical debt does not reliably indicate an individual’s ability to repay loans. The agency anticipated that the removal of such debts could lead to an average credit score increase of 20 points for millions of consumers, thereby … Read more

4th Circuit Upholds Employer’s Right in COVID Vaccine Exemption Case, Setting Legal Precedent

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RICHMOND, Va. — A federal appeals court has affirmed a lower court’s decision favorable to an employer in a legal challenge regarding religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination mandates. The ruling, issued by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, affects a case involving a group of employees at a Virginia company who sought exemptions from the company’s vaccination policy due to their religious beliefs. The decision stemmed from a lawsuit filed by employees claiming the company’s mandatory vaccination policy infringed on their rights to practice their religion. The employees argued that the vaccine conflicted with their … Read more

New Jersey Bill Aims to Ease Jury Duty for Seniors: Automatic Exemption for Residents Aged 70 and Up

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TRENTON, N.J. — A bill recently introduced in the New Jersey Legislature seeks to relieve residents aged 70 and older from the obligation of jury duty. This proposal aims to provide an automatic exemption for senior citizens, acknowledging the various challenges they may face in performing this civic duty. The legislation is designed to address the physical, emotional, and logistical hurdles that older adults might encounter when called for jury service. Currently, while New Jersey allows individuals to apply for exemptions based on hardship or disability, there is no provision for an automatic age-based exemption. … Read more

North Carolina Court Evaluates Alleged Animal Cruelty in Poultry Production Amid Legal Exemption Controversy

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RALEIGH, N.C. — In North Carolina, a contentious legal battle unfolds as a Burke County poultry operation faces allegations of violating state animal cruelty laws. Legal Impact for Chickens represents the plaintiff in the case, arguing that Case Farms, the defendant, has committed acts of "intentional cruelty” under the protection of an exemption within state law. The case, now before the North Carolina Court of Appeals, is drawing scrutiny from major agricultural bodies, signaling wide-reaching implications for the state’s poultry and pork industries. The lawsuit contends that Case Farms knowingly engages in practices such as … Read more