Site Map - Legislation

11/29/2011 - A new Indiana law (formerly S.B 411) prohibits employers from asking prospective or current employees questions about firearm ownership. Employers may not ask whether the employee owns, possesses, uses, or transports a firearm or ammunition unless these activities are required to fulfill the employee’s job duties.

11/29/2011 - A bill (S. 401) that would revise the criminal code to strengthen penalties for bribery and corruption convictions has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill will now be considered by the full Senate.

11/29/2011 - A bill (S. 1125) to amend the Patriot Act, which was passed in the wake of 9-11, has been approved by the Senate Judiciary. The full Senate has agreed to consider the measure.The bill would revise the requirements for government access to business records in counterterrorism investigations by requiring the applicant to present a statement of facts and circumstances that justify the government’s belief that the records are relevant to an investigation. Currently the law allows the government to presume that such records are automatically relevant.  

11/29/2011 - Legislation proposes immunizing terror tipsters from lawsuits.

09/13/2011 - Law enforcement and local officials say states shouldn’t be forced to honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits.

08/30/2011 - Texas Weapons. A new law (formerly S.B. 321) in Texas allows employees to keep firearms and ammunition locked in their cars on company property. The law does provide exceptions for schools and for properties, such as oil and gas refineries, where combustible or explosive materials are prohibited by law. The law makes it clear that the presence of firearms or ammunition on the employer’s property does not constitute an unsafe workplace. Except in cases of gross negligence, the law gives employers immunity from civil liability arising from the practice of keeping firearms on company property. New York Sexual abuse. A bill (S.B. 5606) has been introduced that would require hotel and motel owners to provide sexual harassment training to employees and to develop programs to facilitate reporting of harassment. Hotel owners would be required to provide a “know your rights” brochure to all employees detailing state and federal laws on sexual harassment. The bill would make it illegal to retaliate against employees who report sexual harassment. The bill was introduced in response to the alleged sexual assault of a housekeeper by Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former managing director of the International Monetary Fund.

08/30/2011 - A bill (S. 799) introduced by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) would apply data protection and notification requirements to companies not yet covered by other federal laws.

07/28/2011 - A bill (S. 772) designed to strengthen security at federally owned buildings has been approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The bill seeks to improve security at buildings operated by the Federal Protective Service (FPS). The measure would authorize and fund 146 additional security and support personnel. Guards would undergo additional training, and facilities would undergo risk assessments to help focus resources. Both overt and covert testing would be conducted to ensure that guards are performing to expectations.

05/27/2011 - A bill (H. 3) introduced in the Vermont General Assembly would require that law enforcement officers complete certain types of training before they would be allowed to carry Tasers. Under the bill, officers would be required to undergo training on how to interact with people experiencing a mental health crisis. The training would be designed and administered by state’s criminal justice training council.

05/27/2011 - A bill (A.B. 40) introduced in the California Legislature would amend its law regarding elder abuse. Under current law, certain people, referred to as mandated reporters, must report the physical or financial abuse of an elderly person. Under the new bill, mandated reporters would be required to notify two specific entities—the local ombudsman for the care facility and local law enforcement.

05/27/2011 - A bill (H.R. 347) that strengthens penalties for trespassing on certain federal properties has been approved by the House of Representatives and is now pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

05/27/2011 - A new bill (S. 318) introduced in the U.S. Senate would require additional security at airport checkpoints and would increase penalties for those who circumvent screening. The measure would mandate the use of security cameras to monitor all screening areas and all locations where passengers exit sterile parts of the airport.

05/27/2011 - Courts issue rulings on discrimination, the release of sensitive data, and protected speech while Congress considers bills on trespassing, airport screening, and terrorism.