Browse By Tags

CA Approves SB 200 The CALIFORNIA Assembly unanimously approves SB 200, which would allow the children of live-in working parents to attend school in the district where those parents work. It moves to Gov. Jerry Brown (D) for consideration (LEXISNEXIS STATE NET). AK Signs HB 44 ALASKA Gov. Bill...

AK Rejects Request for Medicaid Expansion A court in ALASKA rejects a request by Republican lawmakers to stay the expansion of Medicaid in the Last Frontier State ordered by Gov. Bill Walker (I). Superior Court Judge Frank Pfiffner rejected the request by the Alaska Legislative Council to halt the...

Business in TX The United State Supreme Court refuses to hear a challenge to a TEXAS law that requires veterinarians to examine an animal before offering advice or suggesting treatment. The law bars vets from giving advice online without first seeing the animal (LOS ANGELES TIMES). Business In...

Health & Science In WY The WYOMING Legislature rejects several proposals to expand Medicaid to cover around 20,000 low-income Equality State residents. All were offered as amendments to the state’s main budget bill (WYOMING TRIBUNE EAGLE [CHEYENNE]). Health & Science In UT The...

Crime In VT The VERMONT Senate approves SB 241, which would make the Green Mountain State the first to legislatively legalize the sale and possession of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use. The measure, which would allow residents 21 and older to buy or possess up to a half ounce of marijuana...

Health In AK The ALASKA House approves SB 23, which lifts civil liabilities for prescribing, providing or administering the overdose antidote drug naloxone. The measure moves back to the Senate for concurrence (FAIRBANKS NEWS MINER). Health In NM NEW MEXICO Gov. Susana Martinez (R) signs...

HB 1947 Approved in PA The PENNSYLVANIA House approves HB 1947 , which would eliminate criminal statutes of limitation on child sex crimes and extend the window for victims of child sexual abuse to take civil actions to age 50. It moves to the Senate (PENNLIVE.COM). SB 367 Signed in KS KANSAS...

AZ, OH, OK Delay Executions Pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer announces it will enact protocols to ensure states are no longer able to use drugs it provides as part of carrying out a lethal injection execution. At least 20 other U.S. and European drug makers have enacted similar bans. Several states...

Crime In AZ The ARIZONA Supreme Court rules that the smell of marijuana is sufficient probable cause for police to search a person’s home or car, even though medical marijuana use is legal in the Grand Canyon State (REUTERS). AK Gov Signs SB 91 ALASKA Gov. Bill Walker (I) signs SB 91 ...

Social Policy in Alaska The ALASKA Supreme Court overturns a Last Frontier State law that required doctors to give parents two days’ notice before performing an abortion on a minor girl. The court said the law violated the state constitution (ALASKA DISPATCH NEWS [ANCHORAGE]). North Carolina...

ALASKA Gov. Bill Walker (I) signs HB 126 , a bill that updates the Alaska National Guard’s Code of Military Justice for the first time in over five decades. The new Code sets regulations for holding soldiers accountable for misconduct in situations that might not constitute a civilian crime. Provisions...

Social Policy In Alaska The ALASKA State Medical Board approves new abortion regulations that repeal a requirement that a physician consult with another doctor before performing an abortion after the twelfth week of gestation (ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS). Washington Signs HB 1234 WASHINGTON Gov. Jay...

Alaska Signs SB 83 ALASKA Gov. Bill Walker (I) signs SB 83 , which allows the state’s Adult Protective Services agency to use videoconferencing technology in rural communities to serve adults. Walker also signs HB 108 , which allows fiduciaries, such as trustees and court-appointed guardians...

CA City Council Approves The LOS ANGELES City Council approves a motion to ask Golden State lawmakers to change the way the state defines “grave disability” in order to give officials more power to forcibly treat mentally ill homeless people (LOS ANGELES TIMES). AK City Council Approves...

AK House Approves HB 25 The ALASKA House approves HB 25 , which would require insurance companies and Medicaid to provide coverage for prescription contraceptives and medical services needed for any devices. It moves to the Senate (KTVA [ANCHORAGE]). HI Governor Signs HB 2739 HAWAII Gov. David...

MA Attorney General Approves Extension In a ruling with statewide implications, MASSACHUSETTS Attorney General Maura Healey (D) approves an extension of a temporary moratorium on legal cannabis shops and other marijuana businesses through June 2019 for the city of MANSFIELD . The ruling allows local...

CA Governor Signs AB 1678 CALIFORNIA Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signs AB 1678 , which requires journalists, researchers and political campaigns that collect voter data to inform state officials if that data has been stolen (CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE). AK Governor Signs S 63 ALASKA Gov...

The city legislative body in ANCHORAGE narrowly approves a complete ban on all disposable plastic shopping bags from local retail stores. The ban, which takes effect next March, is stricter than those adopted in other Alaska cities and villages and comes amid concerns in Anchorage primarily about litter...

Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals Rules The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules that cities cannot make it a crime to sleep on a public street or sidewalk when no homeless shelters are available. The court’s ruling applies to ordinances found in cities in nine western states (SAN FRANCISCO...

AK Governor Signs HB 240 ALASKA Gov. Bill Walker (I) signs HB 240 , which bars gag rules in contracts between pharmacy benefits managers and pharmacies. Gag rules prohibit pharmacists from telling customers of a cheaper option for medication if they pay out of pocket (ALASKA PUBLIC MEDIA [ANCHORAGE...

CA Governor Signs AB 2343 CALIFORNIA Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signs AB 2343 , a bill that gives tenants facing eviction three court days to pay rent after receiving notice and five court days to respond to an eviction lawsuit. The measure further stipulates that weekend days and holidays do not count...