States

ACLU Withdraws Abortion Lawsuit in Kentucky, Leaving State’s Near-Total Ban Unchallenged

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A lawsuit challenging Kentucky’s stringent abortion restrictions was voluntarily dismissed on Friday, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky. The case was brought by a woman, identified as Mary Poe, who was seven weeks pregnant at the time of the filing in November. This legal action contested the state’s near-total ban on abortion, enacted following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Details surrounding the withdrawal remain scant, as the ACLU opted not to provide further commentary on the decision. Amber Duke, executive … Read more

Navigating the AI Wild West: States Forge Their Own Rules Amidst Federal Deregulation

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Sacramento, California — As advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) continue to unfold, the regulatory landscape in the U.S. is evolving rapidly but remains fragmented. Unlike the European Union, which has established a comprehensive AI regulatory framework through the EU AI Act, the U.S. lacks a unified national law. Instead, various states are crafting their own laws related to AI, reminiscent of the piecemeal privacy regulations, achieving varying degrees of coverage and compliance challenges for businesses. State-level regulations are emerging as more jurisdictions take action to regulate AI and automated decision-making systems. This trend creates a … Read more

Disability Rights Championed: States Withdraw Attack on Key Legislation, But Challenges Persist

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Texas — Seventeen states, led by Texas, have decided not to challenge the constitutionality of a significant disability rights law, although advocates warn that the legal battle is far from over. Earlier this year, the states sought to invalidate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a pivotal statute that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in any program receiving federal funding. Originally enacted in 1973, Section 504 covers a wide array of sectors, impacting health care, education, housing, and transportation. Disability rights advocates fiercely opposed this lawsuit, emphasizing that a successful challenge could also jeopardize … Read more

Legal Battle Erupts as 20 States Challenge USDOT’s Immigration Funding Requirements

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Twenty states have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation over a funding mandate they argue imposes restrictions related to immigration enforcement. The legal action, initiated in Missouri, stems from recent regulations tied to a significant infrastructure bill passed last year. The dispute centers on a provision that the states claim links federal transportation funding to compliance with undocumented immigration policies. Officials argue that this linkage undermines their states’ authority and creates undue burdens when it comes to managing local resources and public safety. Filed on behalf of the states, the lawsuit highlights … Read more