Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has issued Opinion Letter No. 22-2024, (Nov. 22, 2024) outlining the extent to which the state’s restrictive abortion laws are still enforceable after voter adoption of a state constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights. The
Presumption of Constructive Notice Applicable to Published Procurement Actions
Under the Small Business Act and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act, federal agencies must publish notices of proposed contract actions and modifications exceeding $25,000 on the System of Award Management (SAM) unless an exception listed in Federal Acquisition
Denial of Historic Preservation Grants to Churches Violates 1st Amendment
In The Mendham Methodist Church v. Morris County, New Jersey, (D NJ, Nov. 27, 2024), a New Jersey federal district court held that Rule 5.6.4 of New Jersey’s Historic Preservation Grant program violates the 1st Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause.
Texas AG Sues Church-Run Homeless Center Alleging It Has Become a Public Nuisance
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton this week filed a lawsuit in state court against a church-run homeless center that receives over $1 million in funding from the city of Austin. The complaint (full text) in State of Texas
Ohio Governor Signs Transgender Bathroom Bill
AP reports that that on Tuesday Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 104, the Protect All Students Act (full text of bill). The Act requires public and most private elementary and secondary schools as well as all
British Court Says Husband May Use IVF Embryo for Surrogate Pregnancy After Wife’s Death
In EF v. Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, (EWHC, Nov. 22, 2024), the England and Wales High Court (Family Division) held that Article 8 (Right to respect for private and family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights gives a
9th Circuit Hears Arguments on Youth Ministry’s Access to State Grants
Last week (Nov. 20) the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in Youth 71Five Ministries v. Williams (video of full oral arguments). In the case, the state of Oregon canceled $410,000 in grants to Youth
Nominee To 3rd Circuit Who Would Have Been First Muslim Circuit Court Judge Will Not Be Confirmed by Senate
New Jersey Globe reports that President Biden’s nomination of Adeel Mangi to the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals will not be approved before the current Congressional session ends. Mangi, born in Pakistan, would have been the first Muslim to sit
Missouri Trial Court Upholds State’s Ban on Gender Affirming Care for Minors
In Noe v. Parson, (MO Cir. Ct., Nov. 25, 2024), a Missouri state trial court upheld the constitutionality of Missouri’s ban on gender transition surgery for minors and its 4-year moratorium on puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones for minors
Court Finds No FOIA Violation
An inmate submitted an “inmate
request/grievance form” to a county sheriff’s office (Sheriff), stating that
the inmate was “requesting to talk with: FOIA/Legal/Dietary,” regarding a
“Request for Preservation.” The inmate attached a
list seeking nutritional information for food served at