Michigan Legislature Introduces Reproductive Health Privacy Bill

On November 7, 2024, Michigan lawmakers in the Senate introduced the Reproductive Data Privacy Act (“RDPA”), also known as Senate Bill 1082 (SB 1082).  The bill aims to strengthen privacy protections for sensitive reproductive health data, including information on menstrual cycles, fertility, and contraception. 

The RDPA is largely modeled after Washington’s My Health, My Data Act, but it more narrowly applies to organizations that provide reproductive health-related products or services, such as diagnostic testing, fertility apps, or abortion … Read the rest

Court rejects bid for compensation over police raid damages to Texas woman’s home

Court rejects bid for compensation over police raid damages to Texas woman’s home

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The Supreme Court declined on Monday morning to hear the case of a Texas woman seeking compensation for damage to her home inflicted by a SWAT team pursuing a fugitive. The denial of review in Baker v. McKinney came on a list of orders from the justices’ private conference on Friday.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, issued a statement regarding the court’s decision not to take up the case. She noted that the woman’s case presented … Read the rest

Court grants challenge to FCC subsidies over nondelegation doctrine

Court grants challenge to FCC subsidies over nondelegation doctrine

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The justices on Friday created the prospect of another major ruling on the role of administrative agencies and Congress’s ability to delegate power to those agencies. At the Biden administration’s request, the court agreed to review a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that invalidated parts of a program by the Federal Communications Commission to improve internet and phone services in underserved areas.

The court of appeals said that the program violated the Constitution … Read the rest

While Testing Bluesky, Major Publishers Are Staying on X (Twitter) and What It Means for Bloggers

Despite recent controversies and shifting dynamics, X (formerly Twitter) remains a vital space for engaging with influencers. 

While some major publishers like The Guardian and NPR have announced their withdrawal from the platform, Sara Guaglione of Digiday reports the reality is that many influential voices—and the communities, including bloggers, they cultivate—are still active there. 

Over a dozen major publishers, including The New York Times, Reuters, and Vox Media, continue to maintain a presence on X, per Guaglione. Even as referral … Read the rest

Western Apache group calls on court to block approval of copper mine on sacred site

Western Apache group calls on court to block approval of copper mine on sacred site

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The Petitions of the Week column highlights some of the cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here.

Federal law limits the government’s ability to place a substantial burden on the free exercise of religion. Yet as long as Congress does not intentionally discriminate against a particular faith, the Supreme Court has permitted the legislative branch to manage internal government operations — for example, by allowing private development … Read the rest

Pharmacare: Committee of Experts established

On November 14, 2024, the Government of Canada announced the establishment of a Committee of Experts as the next step in its implementation of a national pharmacare program.  The Committee is tasked with providing the Government with practical advice on the next phases of pharmacare.

Background

As we reported, on October 10, 2024, Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare (the Pharmacare Act) received Royal Assent and came into force.  The Pharmacare Act sets out the “foundational principles” for … Read the rest