Maryland

Federal Judge to Review University of Maryland Ban on Student Vigil Commemorating Gaza Lives

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Greenbelt, MD – A federal court is set to evaluate the claims of a University of Maryland student group alleging First Amendment violations after their planned vigil to commemorate lives lost in Gaza was cancelled by the university. The hearing, scheduled for Monday, stems from a lawsuit filed by the University of Maryland Students for Justice in Palestine, which argues that the university unjustly prohibited their “interfaith vigil” initially approved for October 7. The event was intended to mark one year since the commencement of hostilities in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on Israel, … Read more

Groundbreaking Ruling: Maryland Judge Dismisses Climate Change Lawsuit Against Fossil Fuel Giants, Citing Federal Preemption

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BALTIMORE — A sweeping decision last month by a Baltimore state court has catapulted Maryland into the center of a national legal debate over climate litigation. Baltimore’s ambitious lawsuit aimed at holding some of the world’s largest fossil fuel producers accountable for their contributions to climate change was dismissed. This marked a significant legal precedent, as it was the first instance a state court has fully rejected this type of claim. Baltimore had targeted major energy companies, accusing them of a misinformation campaign about the impacts of fossil fuels on the environment. However, Baltimore City … Read more

Maryland Sets New Standards with Pay Transparency and Detailed Pay Statements Laws Starting October 2024

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Come October 1, 2024, Maryland will enact new laws aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness in wage-related practices among employers. The forthcoming Pay Transparency Law alongside the Pay Stub and Pay Statement Law will obligate employers across the state to disclose more comprehensive wage details and to provide clear, detailed pay statements respectively. This legislative push reflects a wider commitment to equity in the workplace and mandates careful compliance from businesses to sidestep penalties. The Maryland Equal Pay for Equal Work – Wage Range Transparency law, under the Pay Transparency Law, will … Read more

Maryland Sets New Benchmark with Strict Data Privacy Law, Surpassing Even California’s Regulations

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Since California led the way with the enactment of the California Consumer Privacy Act in 2018, a wave of similar legislation has swept across the United States. To date, 18 other states have crafted their comprehensive data privacy laws, creating a complex legal patchwork that aims to protect consumer data rights. These legislative efforts reveal a growing national concern over data privacy as states assert individual stances in the absence of a unifying federal law. With nuances in regulations across state lines, both businesses and privacy professionals are grappling with the intricacies … Read more