Civil Rights – Page 52 – Legal News Feed

JDSupra

California Amends Employment Regulations: Impact on Criminal History Consideration and Fair Hiring Practices

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In a recent development, the California Office of Administrative Law approved the Civil Rights Council’s proposed amendments to regulations regarding the consideration of criminal history in employment. The changes are due to come into effect from October 1, 2023, mandating compliance from employers with individual assessments and other pre-existing requirements under the California Fair Chance…

Above the Law

Florida Medicaid Practices Accused of Discrimination Against Latinos, Immigrants, and Blacks

Pieter Gunst3 years ago07 mins

Several civil rights groups have recently filed a complaint against the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. They accuse the state of using administration practices that hinder continued Medicaid receipt by eligible beneficiaries, specifically those who are Latinos, immigrants, or Black. This action, according to the organizations,…

Jurist

Prosecutors Seek to Curb Trump’s Prejudicial Statements in Election Interference Case

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

Federal prosecutors in the case relating to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s alleged interference with the 2020 election, made a plea on Friday to the US District Court for the District of Columbia. This plea beseeches the court to prevent the former President from making prejudicial and extrajudicial statements that could potentially influence the jury….

JDSupra

California Health Plan’s $1.3 Million Settlement Highlights Rising HIPAA Compliance Risks

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

A recent development in the healthcare sector is worth attention, as it involves a substantial settlement for alleged violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced on September 11, 2023, that a settlement was reached with LA Care….

JDSupra

Fifth Circuit Ruling Sheds New Light on Title VII Claims: Ramifications for Employers and Employees

Pieter Gunst3 years ago04 mins

The latest decisive move by the Fifth Circuit in the Federal Court of Appeals has spurred significant discussion among employers across Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. This regarded court, known for its conservative stance and employer-friendly positions, swerved from tradition in a recent Title VII claims case – Hamilton v. Dallas County. In an unexpected ruling,…

JDSupra

Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Employee Accommodations in Retail: What to Know

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

Recent legal developments in the United States are transforming retail employees’ accommodations in unprecedented ways. The strategies deployed by establishments to schedule workers have to be revaluated due to an evolving landscape shaped by fresh interpretations of existing laws and new legislations like the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Understanding these dynamics requires a close…

JDSupra

SouthCoast Medical Group Faces Data Breach, Revealing Patient Information Risk

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

SouthCoast Medical Group, LLC, also known as SouthCoast Health or simply SouthCoast, recently filed a notice of data breach with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. The filing took place on August 17, 2023, after SouthCoast discovered that an unauthorized party had downloaded certain files from the company’s computer…

JDSupra

McAlester Regional Health Center Reports Cyberattack, Consumer Data at Risk

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

The McAlester Regional Health Center (“McAlester Regional”) has recently filed a notice of data breach with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (“HHS-OCR”). The notice, filed on August 21, 2023, came as a result of an apparent cyberattack, where an unauthorized party managed to gain access to the company’s…

JDSupra

Fifth Circuit Broadens Title VII, Enhancing Protections Against Workplace Discrimination

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

In a significant development, the Fifth Circuit has recently broadened the scope of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, enhancing protections against workplace discrimination. The court’s decision in the case of Hamilton v. Dallas County, 2023 WL 5316716 (5th Cir. Aug. 18, 2023) marked a pivotal shift in its perspective on such…

JDSupra

DHHS Settles with MedEvolve: HIPAA Violations and Data Breach Penalties Underscore Compliance Imperative

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In a significant development of legal interest to corporations in the healthcare industry, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has reached a settlement with MedEvolve, Inc. regarding alleged violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Rules. The settlement pertinent to a data breach incident was announced on May 16,…

JDSupra

California Poised to Outlaw Caste-Based Discrimination with Senate Bill 403

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

The California Legislature has made real strides in terms of progressing equality policy with Senate Bill (SB) No. 403. This bill aims to outlaw caste-based discrimination in the state. Now, it has been sent to the governor’s desk for official approval. It’s a significant move, given that California could well stand as the first US…

JDSupra

Starbucks Navigates Tightrope Between Civil Rights Laws and Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

In August of the previous year, Starbucks found itself in the defendant position in a lawsuit filed by the National Center for Public Policy Research. The complaint revolved around the allegation that Starbucks’ officers and directors initiated a set of policies contravening various state and federal civil rights laws, purportedly demonstrating racial discrimination. Starbucks, however,…

Law.com

EEOC Alleges Verizon Violated ADA and Civil Rights Act with Unlawful Employment Practices

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has alleged that Verizon Maryland violated federal law. The telecom giant purportedly refused to allow a disabled employee the opportunity to apply for the company’s vacant positions; a conciliatory move to find work that would be compatible with his disability. This claim is made apparent in a filing…

JDSupra

United Health Care Settles $80,000 Records Request Oversight Amid Pandemic Challenges

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

The United Health Care (UHC) recently admitted to Office for Civil Rights (OCR) that an oversight by one of its employees resulted in an unattended records request that lingered unprocessed in the mail for prolonged periods. The unfortunate incident led to UHC agreeing to pay a settlement of $80,000 to resolve the issue. This report…

SCOTUSblog

Alabama Battles Supreme Court Over Two Majority-Black Congressional Districts Requirement

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

Alabama is once again under the spotlight of the Supreme Court. The state is contesting that it does not need to create two majority-Black congressional districts to comply with the Voting Rights Act. This issue arose after the rejection of the state’s second map and subsequent instruction by the lower court for experts to redraft…

Above the Law

From Covington & Burling to Lucas Museum: Mitchell Kamin’s Stellar Shift in Legal Career

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

Former Covington & Burling legal heavyweight, Mitchell Kamin, has transitioned to a role bound to pique the interest of sci-fi enthusiasts across the globe. Kamin served as a key player in Covington & Burling’s commercial litigation practice before taking up his new, intriguing, post as the first general counsel of the Lucas Museum of Narrative…

Law360

Former Congressman Mondaire Jones Joins Emery Celli as Of Counsel

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

Mondaire Jones, previously a member of the U.S. Congress and current member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, announced Monday the commencement of his partnership with the established boutique firm Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP. Respected for his political and legal career, Jones now assumes his position as an of counsel…

JDSupra

EEOC Files Lawsuit Against Prestigious Placement and Spinnaker Management for Alleged Sexual Harassment

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has lodged a lawsuit against Prestigious Placement and Spinnaker Management Group, alleging that these entities, both operating as joint employers, breached federal civil rights law. According to the charges, the companies subjected female employees to a sexually hostile work environment. The EEOC, as the federal agency tasked with…

JDSupra

Second Circuit Expands Title VII Retaliation Protections: Analyzing Carr v. New York City Transit Authority

Pieter Gunst3 years ago01 mins

On August 7, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit made an important review and clarification of the appropriate legal standard for analyzing claims of retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The case at hand was Carr v. New York City Transit Authority (No. 22-792-cv, 2023 WL…

JDSupra

DOJ and OCR Joint Letter Emphasizes Increased Scrutiny on Online Accessibility in Higher Education

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In a decisive move, the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) have issued a joint letter to institutions of higher education, signaling increased scrutiny in the realm of online accessibility. Notably, the collective action occurs in tandem with recent enforcement endeavors against…

JDSupra

California on Verge of Banning Caste Discrimination, Setting Precedent for Workplace Inclusivity Efforts

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In a significant and unprecedented move, the state of California sits on the cusp of becoming the first in the United States to enact a state-wide ban on caste discrimination. This comes as Senate Bill 403 works to concretize, “caste”, into the definition of “ancestry” in legislation, thereby protecting it from violation under California’s Unruh…

JDSupra

Navigating the AI Legal Landscape: State Legislation Addresses Emerging Ethical Concerns

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In 2021, an increasing number of states have enacted legislation to examine the implications of artificial intelligence (AI). This is an anticipatory move to potentially regulate this emerging technology and address its expected impact on employment, civil liberties, and property rights. As the implementation and influence of AI continue to expand, attorneys, corporate entities, and…

Above the Law

Biden’s Judicial Nominees Aim to Restore Balance Amidst Polarized American Judiciary

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

The judiciary, once believed to be a neutral branch of government, now finds itself swinging more frequently, ostensibly due to recent behaviour demonstrated by the YOLO Court, which now seems to disregard stare decisis and respect for Congressional intentions. As a result, key issues such as healthcare access, gun ownership, and civil rights are becoming…

Law360

North Carolina Sheriff Seeks Dismissal in Civil Rights Class Action Over Court Tech

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

In the latest developments of a civil rights class action in North Carolina, a second sheriff has requested an early dismissal from the case. The lawsuit, brought against a number of officials, alleges negligence resulting from defects in the statewide implementation of a digital court system. The sheriff in question has dismissed these allegations as…

JDSupra

United Healthcare’s $80,000 Settlement with HHS Heightens Attention on Patient Right of Access Initiative

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

United Healthcare Insurance Company (“United”), one of the premier national payors, agreed to an $80,000 settlement in late August with the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). This resolution relates to OCR’s Right of Access initiative, the agenda pushing for patients to have timely access to their health information. As part…