State

Montana Court Overturns State Law Defining Gender in Binary Terms, Citing Constitutional Violations

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MISSOULA, Mont. — In a significant legal decision, a Montana judge on Wednesday declared a state law that restrictively defined sex in binary terms to be unconstitutional. The ruling by Judge Leslie Halligan of the Montana Fourth Judicial District Court spotlighted the ongoing debate over gender identity rights within the state. The law, known as Senate Bill 458, attempted to rigidly categorize “female” and “male” under the Montana Code, restricting these definitions strictly to biological sex at birth. Challenged by a coalition account of transgender, intersex, and Two-Spirit Montanans, the plaintiffs argued that the definitions … Read more

New York Tightens Environmental Laws, Introduces Penalties for Polluters as State Struggles to Meet Climate Goals

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Albany, N.Y. — In an ambitious bid to tackle climate change, New York State has enhanced its legislative framework to significantly lower its carbon footprint. The state, which has established some of the most stringent environmental goals in the nation, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions drastically within the next few decades. Signed into law in 2019 by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) set forth pioneering benchmarks for emissions reductions. The statute requires the state to curtail its climate pollution to 40% below the 1990 levels by the year … Read more

State Grand Jury Clears Elizabeth Police Officer in Fatal 2023 Car Crash Case

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Elizabeth, NJ — A New Jersey state grand jury has decided not to file charges against an Elizabeth police officer involved in a fatal traffic collision earlier this year. The decision, announced this Wednesday, has closed the investigation into the incident which resulted in the death of a 19-year-old man from Elizabeth. The collision occurred on the night of January 17, 2023, when the young man’s vehicle was struck by the police cruiser, which was responding to an emergency call. According to the Office of the Attorney General, the officer was navigating through a green … Read more

Employers and Benefit Administrators Urge Congressional Action Against Rising Drug Costs Amid State Law Surge

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As the cost of prescription drugs continues to climb, employers and benefits plan administrators across the United States are urging Congress to consider legislation that would reform the operations of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). This push is fueled by a growing body of state laws aimed at curbing PBM practices that many argue contribute to higher healthcare expenses. Industry experts highlight that while PBMs are tasked with managing prescription drug benefits on behalf of health insurers, employers, and Medicare Part D drug plans, there are increasing concerns about their role in the escalation of drug … Read more