All articles tagged with #law change
Columbus City Council unanimously voted to change laws to strip historic districts like German Village of their regulatory power over exterior property changes, following a legal dispute over ADA-compliant curb ramps, with the city prioritizing accessibility and right-of-way access over historic preservation concerns.
MPs in England and Wales narrowly approved a bill to legalize assisted dying, signaling a significant social liberal shift similar to historic reforms like abortion and gay marriage, with the bill now moving to the House of Lords.
Waymo plans to launch a fully autonomous robotaxi service in New York City but needs to change state laws to operate without safety drivers. The company has applied for a testing permit and is collecting mapping data, while advocating for legal reforms to enable driverless vehicles in the city. The move faces challenges due to NYC's complex traffic environment and strict regulations, with some lawmakers cautious about rushing into driverless technology in such a dense urban setting.
Starting January 1, 2025, Texas will eliminate mandatory annual vehicle safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles, following a law signed by Governor Greg Abbott. While this change will save time for drivers, it will not reduce costs, as a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee will be added to the annual vehicle registration. Commercial vehicles and those in 17 counties requiring emissions tests will still need inspections.
Slovakia's recent law changes have stirred controversy, with an amendment prepared by MPs under indictment drawing criticism for potentially influencing the outcome of their court cases. Another law change granting the defense ministry veto power over arms export licenses has raised concerns about favoritism towards private-sector partners. These developments come amidst a new government led by Robert Fico, characterized by controversial appointments and a shift towards radicalism.
Two women convicted in connection with a Minnesota man's murder were released early from prison after their sentences were reduced under a new state law that redefines aiding and abetting murder, allowing for retroactive application. The women were resentenced on lesser charges and released after serving over six years. The victim's family expressed disappointment with the decision, while attorneys and officials defended the change as a means to ensure appropriate consequences for major participants in a murder.
Slovakia's recent law change, which gives the defense ministry the power to veto arms export licenses, has sparked controversy and raised concerns about potential corruption. Additionally, the amendment also affects rape prosecutions, as it introduces a requirement for victims to prove that they resisted their attackers. This legal reform has drawn criticism from activists and legal experts, who argue that it could discourage rape survivors from coming forward and hinder efforts to combat corruption.
Lynda Bluestein, a 76-year-old Connecticut woman with terminal cancer, ended her life in Vermont under its medically assisted suicide law, which she successfully pushed to change to allow nonresidents to access the service. She passed away peacefully, as per her wishes, after taking a prescribed lethal dose of medication. Vermont is among the few places in the U.S. with such a law, which includes strict safeguards and is available to those with a prognosis of six months or less to live. Bluestein's advocacy efforts aimed at providing individuals with agency over their end-of-life decisions, a choice she was grateful to have in her final moments.
The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that Michigan residents who were catastrophically injured in car wrecks before the summer of 2019 can continue to bill insurance companies for ongoing care, providing critical relief for thousands of people. A new state law had set a fee schedule and a cap on reimbursements, putting 18,000 people at risk of losing their long-term benefits. However, the court determined that the "vested contractual right" to ongoing benefits cannot be taken away or diminished without a clear intent from lawmakers. The decision was supported by Democratic and Republican justices, with a dissenting opinion expressing concerns about the impact on insurance costs.