On June 10, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill No. 721, making it Act No. 22 of 2024 (the “Act”). The Act establishes the Women, Infants, and Children State Advisory Board (WICSAB). Rallying bi-partisan support in the State Senate and House of Representatives, the Act intends to increase participation and enrollment in programs that support women, infants and children in Pennsylvania. KingSpry’s Adoption/ART Law Chair and Family Law Attorney, Dorota Gasienica-Kozak, Esq., details what the Act means for the future of WIC-programs and eligible participants in Pennsylvani ..read more

On June 5, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 37 (“SB 37”), making it Act 18 of 2024 (the “Act”). The Act will enhance responsibility for drivers who utilize a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania. KingSpry’s Litigation Practice Chair, Alan S. Battisti, Esq., discusses the Act and emphasizes what drivers need to know to avoid litigation and increased insurance rates due to distracted driving in Pennsylvania.  Legislative History In consideration of the severe and increasing effects of distracted driving in Pennsylvania, Senator Rosemary M ..read more

Last June, Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) reintroduced the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act (the “Act”) to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. Since its proposal, the Act has been referred to different committees within the House of Representatives; however, neither chamber of Congress has acted on it. In this issue of KingSpry’s heARTbeat blog, Adoption and ART Practice Chair, Dorota Gasienica-Kozak, Esq., reviews the proposed bill (S.2213/H.R.4363) and emphasizes the importance of the Act’s intention to addres ..read more

On April 1, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published its Final Rule, Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process, in the Federal Register. The Final Rule takes effect today, May 31, 2024. The Final Rule clarifies the rights of employees to authorize a representative to accompany an OSHA compliance officer during workplace inspections. KingSpry’s Employment Law Chair, Avery E. Smith, Esq., and Employment Law Attorney, Sarah Modrick. Esq., LLM, review the Final Rule and detail how it impacts workplace inspections. Inspection Rights The Occupational Safety ..read more

On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court decided on Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, Missouri, No. 22-193. The Court’s decision clarifies that when an employee challenges a job transfer as discriminatory, they only need to prove that they sustained “some” harm, not “significant” or “serious” harm. KingSpry’s Employment Law Chair, Avery E. Smith, Esq., and Employment Law Attorney, Sarah Modrick. Esq., LLM, review the facts of the case and what the Court’s decision means for employee protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”). Facts of the Case From 2008 to 2017, Ser ..read more

On July 19, 2023, Senator Cory A. Booker (NJ) and Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (CT) reintroduced the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act (the “Act”) to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. The Act was proposed in the previous legislative session; however, it did not receive the necessary support for passage. In this issue of KingSpry’s heARTbeat blog, Adoption and ART Practice Chair,  Dorota Gasienica-Kozak, Esq., reviews the proposed bill (S.2386/H.R.4731) and details how it will expand greater access to infertility services for all Americans. F ..read more

Yesterday, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania struck down a directive issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education “PDE” in August, 2023 that required schools to provide special education services to students until the student’s 22nd birthday.  This decision brings back the pre-existing framework of eligibility under which special education students remain eligible for education until they either graduate with a regular high school diploma, or the end of the school year in which the student reaches 21 years of age. Background On July 11, 2023, a federal class action lawsuit was ..read more

On January 18, 2024, Senators Tammy Duckworth (IL) and Patty Murray (WA) proposed the Access to Family Building Act of 2024 (the “Act”) to the United States Senate (S.3612). On the same date, Representative Susan Wild (PA) proposed the Act to the United States House of Representatives (H.R.7056). If passed, the Act will establish the statutory right to access in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) services. KingSpry’s Adoption and ART Practice Chair, Dorota Gasienica-Kozak reviews the proposed Access to Family Building Act of 2024 and what it means for th ..read more

The Pennsylvania General Assembly unanimously passed House Bill No. 917, which introduces the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act. HB 917 was signed by Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro, on May 8, 2024, making it Act No. 12 of 2024. KingSpry’s Managing Partner and Family Law Attorney, Jessica F. Moyer, details how the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act will impact family law disputes in Pennsylvania. Purpose Representatives Melissa L. Shusterman and Tina M. Davis initially sponsored HB 917 due to the complexities and difficulties faced by families when resolving family law disp ..read more

In response to the evolving landscape of digital technology, the Department of Justice has issued a  significant rule updating regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule, published on April 24th, requires state and local governments, including K-12 public schools, to ensure accessibility of web content and mobile applications to people with disabilities.   Schools and businesses have increasingly provided services through websites and mobile applications.  With this increased use of digital media comes the question as to whether they are app ..read more