Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed two bills into law that amend provisions of the state’s workers’ compensation law to benefit first responders, including those who became ill after volunteering at the World Trade Center site in the days after 9/11. “Any first responder whose career has been cut short because of
In State v. A.T.C., (A-28-18/081201) (Decided August 8, 2019), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the Jessica Lunsford Act (JLA) does not violate the separation of powers doctrine provided that certain conditions are satisfied. Specifically, the State must present a statement of reasons explaining its decision to depart from
In State v. James Hemenway, (A-19-18/081206) (Decided July 24, 2019), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the Domestic Violence Act’s standard for the issuance of search warrant for weapons, particularly in a defendant’s home, could not be “squared with the probable cause requirement of our State and Federal
Phase one, which became effective on June 30, 2019, increases the number of businesses who must comply with New Jersey’s Family Leave Act (“NJFLA”). Now employers with 30 or more employees will be subject to the NJFLA. As part of phase one the definition of family also has been expanded.
In Sergeant First Class Frank Chiofalo v. State (A-30-18/081607) (Decided July 16, 2019), the Supreme Court of New Jersey sided with state trooper who alleges that he faced retaliation in the wake of the Death Race 2012 scandal. In doing so, the court made it clear that whistleblowers seeking to
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Doe v. Boyertown Area School District. The Court’s refusal to grant certiorari means that the Third Circuit’s decision allowing a Pennsylvania school district to adopt a transgender-friendly bathroom policy will remain in place. Challenge to Transgender Bathroom Policy Prior to the 2016–17 school
In The American Legion v. American Humanist Association, 588 U. S. ____ (2019), the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Bladensburg Cross does not run afoul of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. While the Court’s plurality decision does not establish a bright-line test, it does provide guidance for local governments faced with questions
In State v. Kwesi Green, (A-56/57-17/080562) (Decided June 23, 2019), the Supreme Court of New Jersey raised questions about the use of electronic databases to identify suspects in criminal cases. It will also require new safeguards going forward. “The Court proposes revisions to Rule 3:11 to offer clearer guidance on
