By: Stephen Hodzic, Staff Writer The Pennsylvania animal abuse cruelty statutes went through a significant overhaul in 2017 with the addition of Libre’s Law.[1] The law included several provisions, including a significant increase of the penalty for aggravated animal cruelty – an individual charged with a violation of this […]
Post Tagged with: "pennsylvania"
Pennsylvania Sets Its Gaze to Phase out Hazing
By Andrew Beluk, Staff Writer In many movies about college, there is a common step between rushing a fraternity or sorority and becoming an official member; hazing. The pledges in these films are generally required to drink a dangerous amount of alcohol or participate in some cult-like ‘ritual’, […]
Golfers Beware: You Might Be in Danger of These Legal Hazards
By Nick Frost, Executive Editor One of, if not the most, famous athletes born in Pennsylvania passed away over a year ago, Arnold Palmer. Palmer, nicknamed “the King,” once said, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same […]
Leaving on a Jet Plane, but only before January
By Jennifer Carter, Staff Writer By now, most Pennsylvania residents have heard the news that their Pennsylvania license or identification card will be unacceptable to gain admittance onto planes and into federal buildings or military bases, beginning January 22, 2018.[1] But as can happen with multi-layered bureaucratic issues, there is a […]
Jail or Treatment: Combating the Drug Epidemic in Pennsylvania
By Elizabeth Echard, Staff Writer The drug epidemic in the United States is affecting everyone, from all walks of life. This epidemic is an ever-growing issue and is seen more and more every day. Specifically, Pennsylvania’s overdose rate is the sixth highest rate in the nation, standing at around […]
Erasing the Past: How Pennsylvania’s New Criminal Record Sealing Laws Affect Those with Criminal Histories
By Kaitlyn Burns, Staff Writer On February 16, 2016, the Pennsylvania General Assembly followed the lead of at least 18 other states[1] by enacting its first criminal record sealing law.[2] While the law only went into effect a couple of months ago on November 14, 2016 — and it […]
Protecting Victims of Human Trafficking: The Need for Safe Harbor Laws
By Amy Kerlin, Staff Writer The Department of Homeland Security classifies human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery that involves the use of manipulation, coercion, fraud, or force to compel a victim into some type of labor or commercial sexual act.[1] Although the Federal Bureau of Investigation believes […]
State Senators Push to Preempt City Labor Laws
By Susan Pickup, Staff Writer A Pennsylvania bill proposed in the 2017-2018 legislative session would attempt to preempt cities and towns from enacting mandatory paid sick leave for employees.[1] This senate bill seems to have one city law in mind. It would preempt the city of Philadelphia’s “Promoting Healthy […]
President Trump’s Numerous Fiscal Allies in Pittsburgh
By Katherine Mannion, Staff Writer The actions taken in the early days of President Donald Trump’s administration already has numerous Pittsburgh connections. Pennsylvania residents have a unique knowledge of Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. DeVos, who worked for the American Federation for Children prior to her nomination, […]
Real ID Requirements Present Real Problems for PA Residents
By Phil Raymond, Staff Writer Pennsylvania residents may have to use another form of ID to enter a federal building or even fly domestically due to the Real ID law. The Real ID law, signed by Congress in 2005, requires states to develop driver’s licenses with certain security features […]
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