HARRISBURG, Pa. (June 22, 2016) – Last week, the Pennsylvania House unanimously passed a bill that would set the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery), along with a coalition of 21 bipartisan co-sponsors, introduced House…
PROVIDENCE R.I. (June 20, 2016) – The Rhode Island legislature has passed a bill to legalize the production and processing of industrial hemp for commercial purposes in the state, setting the foundation to nullify federal prohibition in practice. A coalition of five Democrats introduced House Bill 8232 (H8232) on May 19. As introduced, the legislation would…
ALBANY, N.Y. (June 16, 2016) – A New York Assembly committee has passed an electronic data protection bill that would end warrantless collection of cell phone data and ban the use “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. Passage of the bill would not…
CONCORD, N.H. (June 16, 2016) – Last week, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan signed a bill setting the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Rep. Frank Edelbut (R-Wilbut) sponsored House Bill 1138 (HB1138). The new law provides terminally ill…
BATON ROUGE, La. (June 13, 2016) – Last week, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill specifically exempting medical marijuana patients and caregivers from prosecution in the state. Along with another measure that was signed into law earlier this year, it gives Louisiana a basis for a functional medical marijuana program, setting the foundation…
CONCORD, N.H. (June 13, 2016) – New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan recently signed two bills into law that roll back what were some exceptionally strong privacy protections in the state. The two new laws expand allowable uses for automatic license plate readers (ALPRS) and begin implementation of what will essentially become a national ID system. Rep.…
BATON ROUGE, La. (June 13, 2016) – Louisiana Gov. John Bell Edwards has signed a bill expanding the state’s current “Right to Try” law. Last year, the Louisiana legislature passed, and the governor signed,“Right to Try” legislation giving terminally ill patients access to medicines not yet given final approval for use by the FDA. Earlier this…
CHARLESTON, W. VA. (June 10, 2016) – A West Virginia law setting the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients is now in effect. A bipartisan coalition of four representatives introduced Senate Bill 416 (SB416) back in January. The legislation…
MONTPELIER, Vt. (June 10, 2016) – Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed a sweeping bill that establishes robust privacy protections in the state into law. It not only limits warrantless surveillance and helps ensure electronic privacy in Vermont, it will also hinder several federal surveillance programs that rely on cooperation and data from state and local…
COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 9, 2016) – On Wednesday, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a bill legalizing medical marijuana in the state. This takes a big step toward nullifying the unconstitutional federal prohibition on cannabis in practice. Rep. Stephen Huffman (R) introduced House Bill 523 (HB523) on April 14. The legislation sets in motion the creation of a…