Mandatory

New York Tightens Data Breach Laws: Faster Notifications and Broader Privacy Definitions Now Mandatory

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Albany, N.Y. — In a significant move to ramp up data privacy laws, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York signed new amendments on December 24, 2024, that enforce stricter notification protocols for businesses after data breaches and broaden the spectrum of what constitutes “private information.” This legislative update, both for private-sector entities and government agencies, is aimed at addressing the escalating concerns over personal data security in the digital age. The newly signed amendments usher in a mandatory 30-day notification period for businesses to inform New York residents affected by a data breach. The regulation … Read more

California Introduces Groundbreaking Law to Ban Mandatory Political and Union Meetings at Work

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Sacramento, CA — Starting January 1, a new California law will prevent employers from mandating that workers attend meetings to discuss political or religious views, including unionization. This measure, Senate Bill 399, marks a significant move by California’s Democratic supermajority to boost the ongoing unionization efforts across the state. The law delineates these sessions, often referred to as ‘captive audience meetings,’ as any gathering where employees are required to listen to their employer’s views on religious or political matters, which explicitly includes unionizing. Under this legislation, employees cannot be penalized for refusing to participate in … Read more

Miami Artist Withdraws from Exhibition Over Mandatory Anti-BDS Clause, Highlights Rising Censorship in Art Contracts

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Pembroke Pines, FL — In a recent turn of events, Les Gomez-Gonzalez, a Miami-based artist, withdrew from the upcoming exhibition “Ebb & Flow: Exploring the Womanhood Continuum” at the Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery. The decision came after discovering a clause in the vendor registration form that required adherence to Florida’s anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) policy involving Israel. This clause, part of Florida Statute 287.135, mandates that vendors do not engage in any boycott activities against Israel. Gomez-Gonzalez, expressing solidarity with Palestine, chose to publicize the issue and exit the event, the only artist … Read more

Louisiana Judge Reviews Challenge to Mandatory Classroom Display of Ten Commandments

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Baton Rouge, La. – A federal court in Baton Rouge recently deliberated on the constitutionality of a new state law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom by the start of next year. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles, presiding over the case, is poised to make a decision by November 15. The debate at the heart of the hearing centers on whether the directive infringes upon the separation of church and state as outlined by the U.S. Constitution. Critics of the law argue that the mandatory displays could marginalize … Read more