In an unprecedented move, on July 20, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) via the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have jointly issued a cautionary letter to hospital systems and telehealth providers. This letter comes in response to growing concerns related to the privacy and security…
On Wednesday, the American Alliance for Equal Rights, an anti-affirmative action group, withdrew its Texas federal lawsuit against the diversity fellowship program at Perkins Coie LLP. The suit had been directed at the program’s initial mandate that applicants should belong to underrepresented groups. The law firm, in response, revamped the controversial requirement, leading to the…
On October 7, 2023, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the proposed bill SB 403, which aimed to ban discrimination based on caste under a number of measures including the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Unruh Civil Rights Act, and California Education Code. This move has inevitably sparked discussion among legal professionals and corporations in…
Temple University Health System, Inc. (“Temple Health”) recently submitted a notice of data breach to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. The notification, which dated back to September 15, 2023, announced the unfortunate discovery that a substantial amount of entrusted data had fallen prey to unauthorized access. This breach,…
In a move towards increasing transparency, California continues its effort to take the lead in addressing systematic gaps in the business sector. The state’s Governor recently signed Senate Bill (SB) 54, enforcing a new requirement for venture capital companies to disclose diversity statistics. This legislative development will see venture capital companies reporting annually to the…
With the digital realm often mirroring physical brick-and-mortar operations, businesses must not overlook the significant ramifications of data breaches. Earning both public scrutiny and regulatory attention, a data breach experienced by one of the world’s dominating retailers only underscores this precarious reality. Recently, Walmart, Inc. registered a notice of a data breach with the U.S….
This week, the federal Office of Judicial Integrity (OJI) and circuit Directors of Workplace Relations (DWRs) held a series of online information sessions dedicated to options for law clerks in addressing wrongful conduct within the judiciary. However, the available options law clerks have at their disposal are unfortunately scarce. Prompted by high-profile allegations against former…
The NAACP Legal Defense Fund is once again before the U.S. Supreme Court, this time arguing a significant redistricting case in South Carolina. The civil rights organization is seeking to replicate its prior success at the court. The case revolves around a dispute between GOP legislators and Black voters, a dispute that is emblematic of…
Every child has a right to education, but how far does the shield of immunity extend when it comes to school districts and potential civil rights violations? This is a complex issue, one that requires careful understanding of various legal nuances. The general presumption is that public schools, as state entities, possess immunity from suits….
Imprisoned Iranian women’s rights activist Narges Mohammadi has recently been awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, a move that will strengthen her fight for women’s rights in Iran. The Nobel committee officially announced the decision, highlighting Mohammadi’s role within the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement and her status as an inspiration for Iranian women. Mohammadi has…
In a split decision, a fully constituted panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has reestablished a former University of Arizona student’s Title IX lawsuit against the institution. This decision has vacated a divided three-judge panel’s opinion that previously approved the summary judgment for the university. The announcement held that the…
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Cecelia G. Morris has had a distinguished judicial career, making remarkable strides in cases of civil rights and technological innovation within the judiciary system. Over her 20 years on the bench, a number of her ruling and initiatives stand out. In 2011, at a time when recognition of same-sex marriages was not…
Alaska’s preeminent orthopaedic medical practice, OrthoAlaska, announced a notice of data breach affecting 176,203 patients, as seen in a public report on JDSupra. As stated in the official notification dated September 22, 2023, data entrusted to the company was the subject of unauthorized access, seized by an unnamed third-party. The notice was filed with the…
On October 2, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) unveiled its proposed guidance on workplace harassment claims, aptly titled “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace”. The move underlines the regulatory body’s dedication to shaping a robust framework that thoroughly addresses workplace harassment while providing adequate protection to employees across sectors. Details on…
In a recent development, L.A. Care Health Plan, a HIPAA covered firm with nearly 3 million members, has settled for a payment of $1.3 million along with a three-year corrective action plan (CAP). This agreement follows the allegation of significant failings in the firm’s security risk analysis and corresponding risk management planning. This case traces…
On August 24, 2023, the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (“OCR” or the “Department”) paved a new path with its release of a Dear Colleague Letter (the “DCL”) regarding “Race and School Programming.” According to JDSupra, this DCL seems to be a response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recently released a proposed Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace. This comprehensive guide has notably become a must-read document amongst legal professionals working in corporate and law firms globally. The newly proposed enforcement guidance aims to address the intricacies of mitigating workplace harassment, building on the…
In a matter that could have wide-ranging implications for the business and legal world alike, the U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide whether a lateral job transfer, even without any change in pay or benefits, could constitute a violation of federal civil rights law if carried out for discriminatory purposes. This precedent-setting case could very…
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced that the Local Initiative Health Authority for Los Angeles County (LA Care) has entered into a $1.3 million settlement agreement. This comes after allegations that LA Care, which is the nation’s largest public health plan, violated the Health Insurance Portability…
On September 29, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the EEOC) released its draft guidance concerning harassment in the workplace, reflecting the evolving landscape of employment law. The guidance notably incorporates changes in the law and societal shifts, offering valuable insights for legal professionals navigating these new territories. The updated EEOC draft guidance was…
Last week marked a significant occasion, the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act. This legislation, a cornerstone of civil rights law, prohibits disability discrimination by federal contractors and other programs that receive federal funding. In recognition of this milestone, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Labor released a helpful resource guide….
The Supreme Court’s recent examination of the 303 Creative case, which conferred businesses with the right to discriminate against protected groups in the name of the First Amendment, exemplifies the court’s complex relationship with the concept of standing. The case, which revolved around a non-existent homosexual couple trying to purchase a wedding cake, ultimately resulted…
It has been revealed that on Monday, October 2, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) moved forward with plans that could potentially morph the legal landscape of workplace harassment laws. These actions included the publication of a notice of proposed guidance encompassing the enforcement of various laws aimed at curbing harassment in professional…
On September 29, 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its much-awaited Proposed Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace, marking the first time since 1999 that the agency has updated its guidelines on the topic. The recommendations from EEOC, expected to go through the usual rule-making process, will hold a significant influence on…
Las Cruces police officer Brad Lunsford has been charged with voluntary manslaughter over the shooting and killing of a Black nurse, Presley Eze, in an announcement made by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez on Tuesday. The incident took place outside a gas station back in August 2022. Read More Here. Torrez expressed his condolences…