Justice
States Seek to Protect Tribes’ Rights in Child Custody Cases
Worried about a pending U.S. Supreme Court case, some states aim to pass new laws ensuring American Indian children can stay in their tribal communities even if they’re placed in the child welfare system. Later this year, the court will rule on a longstanding federal law designed to ensure that Native American children removed from […]
Top State Stories 4/13
WA: Amid post-Roe landscape, Washington state lawmakers pass abortion ‘shield law’ seattletimes.com The Washington state Senate passed a “shield law” that blocks local cooperation with out-of-state efforts to pursue criminal and civil cases related to abortion, sending the legislation to Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee. The bill, passed by the House in February, prevents abortion-related subpoenas, extradition […]
After Nashville Shooting, Democratic States Push for New Gun Restrictions
After a shooter killed three elementary school children and three faculty members in Nashville last month, hundreds of student activists flooded the Tennessee state Capitol to demand new gun restrictions. On the state House floor, three Democratic members disrupted proceedings by shouting through bullhorns, calling for a debate on firearm access. But those calls went […]
Top State Stories 4/11
TN: Expelled Tennessee lawmaker returns to legislature after unanimous Nashville council appointment tennessean.com Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones left the Tennessee Capitol April 6, expelled from the House of Representatives for leading a gun-safety protest from the floor following a deadly Nashville school shooting. On Monday, hundreds of jubilant supporters marched alongside him as he walked up the […]
Top State Stories 4/10
NC: Will North Carolina be the ‘beginning of the end’ of the Medicaid expansion fight? nytimes.com Intense patient advocacy, shifting politics, a determined Democratic governor and a handful of maverick Republicans led North Carolina to join 39 other states that have expanded Medicaid. ID: Idaho AG walks back opinion on prohibiting referrals for out-of-state abortions idahostatesman.com […]
Top State Stories 4/6
IN: Indiana governor signs bill banning gender-affirming care for minors indystar.com Indiana Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the bill banning gender-affirming health care procedures for transgender minors. Almost immediately, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit to stop it from being implemented. MD: State report shows ‘astonishing’ depravity in child sexual abuse at Maryland archdiocese baltimoresun.com […]
More States Allow Residents With Felony Convictions to Vote
Last week, thousands of people with felony convictions regained the right to vote in New Mexico, the latest in a growing number of states seeking to reintegrate residents into society by allowing them to participate in elections upon leaving prison. New Mexico Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a wide-reaching voting rights package into law […]
Top State Stories 4/3
MN: Federal judge rules Minnesota’s age limit for carrying handguns unconstitutional startribune.com A federal judge has moved to strike down the Minnesota law barring 18- to 20-year-olds from obtaining permits to carry handguns in public. The decision comes nearly two years after three young adults teamed up with three gun rights advocacy groups to file […]
Top State Stories 3/31
TX, US: Federal judge in Texas strikes down key Affordable Care Act provision regarding preventive care texastribune.org A federal judge in Texas struck down a key provision in the Affordable Care Act that mandates that insurers provide preventive services, including cancer screenings, for free. The judge rules that preventive care recommendations issued by a volunteer […]
Top State Stories 3/30
TN: Tennessee lawmakers delay gun bills after Nashville shooting as advocates demand action tennessean.com Tennessee lawmakers chose to delay hearing a number of proposed bills related to firearms, a decision some gun safety advocates criticized as inaction in the wake of the deadliest school shooting in state history. Prior to Monday’s shooting at The Covenant […]
Top State Stories 3/28
NC: North Carolina expands Medicaid after Republicans drop opposition newsobserver.com North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signed a new law after the Republican-led House and Senate agreed to pass Medicaid expansion, reaching a breakthrough after years of debate. North Carolina is one of just 11 states that has not adopted Medicaid expansion under the federal […]
Top State Stories 3/27
FL: Florida House passes permitless carry bill floridaphoenix.com The Florida House approved legislation along party lines that would allow people to carry guns without being required to obtain a concealed-weapons license, which includes undergoing a training and safety course as well as an additional background check. The measure still needs to clear the state Senate […]