New Wave of Florida Laws Set to Transform Homeless Policies, Introduce ‘Margaritaville’ Plates, and Enhance Flood Disclosures

Tallahassee, Fla. — Florida is set to enact a spate of new laws starting October 1, prompted by legislative decisions aimed at addressing issues from homelessness to homebuyer disclosures. Among the 34 laws to be implemented, a particularly controversial measure aims to restrict where homeless individuals can establish encampments, sparking debate across communities. The law, known as House Bill 1365, prohibits local governments from allowing homeless encampments on public properties like public buildings and rights of way, albeit allowing designated areas for sleeping. This significant move aligns with similar actions taken by other states following … Read more

U.S. Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Curb Corporate Bankruptcy Loopholes Amid Johnson & Johnson Controversy

Washington, D.C. — A new bipartisan bill is gaining traction in Congress, aimed at addressing a controversial bankruptcy strategy that has been employed by major corporations like Johnson & Johnson. This legal maneuver, known as the “Texas Two-Step,” allows companies to create separate entities to absorb liabilities, particularly those stemming from mass tort litigation, essentially shielding the main corporation from significant financial consequences. The legislative push seeks to overhaul aspects of the U.S. bankruptcy code that currently permit such divisions, a tactic that critics argue undermines the rights of litigants by limiting their ability to … Read more

House Democrats, Led by Rep. Carbajal, Introduce Bill to Prevent Federal Abortion Ban Under Comstock Act

Washington — In a straightforward legislative move, Representative Salud Carbajal, together with a coalition of nearly 100 Democratic colleagues from the House, has introduced a bill aimed at dismantling a long-standing but outdated federal law, potentially thwarting efforts to establish a federal ban on abortion. This legislation, known comprehensively as the Stop Comstock Act, redirects from using the 1873 Comstock Act as a basis for such restrictive measures. Originally, the Comstock laws sought to regulate morality by prohibiting the mailing of “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” materials, which during that era included contraception and abortion-related items. … Read more

Jordan D’s Law: Michigan Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Tackle Online Sextortion and Honor Local Teen’s Memory

LANSING, Mich. — In an effort to combat the increasing menace of online sextortion, especially among minors, Michigan legislators have introduced a legislative package known as Jordan D’s Law, memorializing a teenage victim of this heinous crime. The law seeks to hold perpetrators accountable and ramp up preventive education against such online threats. The bills introduced by State Reps. John Fitzgerald, Kara Hope, and Jenn Hill are crafted in response to the tragic death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Marquette, who took his own life in 2022 after becoming a victim of sextortion. This crime … Read more