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New Law Effectively Ends "Willful Defiance" School Suspensions for All Grades

On October 8, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 274, also known as the “Keep Kids in School” bill.

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New Law Going into Effect January 1, 2024, Restricts Municipal Regulations on Delivery of Medicinal Cannabis

Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 1186, the Medicinal Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act (Act).

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California Supreme Court Issues Long-Awaited Decision in California Voting Rights Act Challenge

On August 24, 2023, the California Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated opinion in Pico Neighborhood Association et al., v. City of Santa Monica, reversing an unprecedented Court of Appeal decision that had previously favored the City of Santa Monica.

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Congress Expands Federal Protections for Pregnant Workers

The United States Congress recently passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), a new federal law that requires covered employers to provide "reasonable accommodations" for a worker's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer "undue hardship."

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U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies the Standard for "True Threats"

In Counterman v. Colorado (June 27, 2023, No. 22-138) 600 U.S. __, the United States Supreme Court analyzed the First Amendment’s free speech protections in the context of “true threats.”

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Approval of Nation's First Religious Based Charter School Opens Door to Contentious Constitutional Question

On June 5, 2023, an Oklahoma charter school authorizer approved the nation’s first religious charter school. The decision is certain to ignite litigation and open the possibility that higher courts may explore whether religious schools may be state sanctioned and publicly funded.

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California Supreme Court Holds Public Health Service Plans Not Immune from Reimbursement Actions

In a recent opinion, the California Supreme Court held that medical providers are entitled to receive reimbursement for emergency medical services at rates based on the reasonable and customary value for such services, even where a contract does not exist between the provider and the operator of a public health care service plan.

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U.S. DOE Releases Updated Federal Guidance Regarding Religious Expression in Public Schools in Light of Kennedy

On May 15, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education (U.S. DOE) updated its Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools (Guidance).

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Ninth Circuit Confirms Title IX Protections for Perceived Sexual Orientation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently held that Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of perceived sexual orientation.

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