Newsletters

Coverage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was enacted to allow full participation in society by individuals with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act is a federal law that protects qualified individuals with handicaps from discrimination, based solely on their disability, in any federally funded service, program, or activity, including healthcare and employment.

Gay Men and Lesbians as Foster Parents

Civil rights advocates say that sexual orientation discrimination occurs when a state refuses to place a foster child with a single man because he is gay or when a lesbian couple is not permitted to provide emergency foster care because of their sexual orientation. At least two states have laws or regulations prohibiting gay men or lesbians from serving as foster parents. Those opposed to such laws and policies cite reports indicating that children raised by lesbian or gay parents--either as single parents or as same sex partners--seem to receive the same level of care and concern as do children raised by heterosexual parents. Proponents of permitting gay men and lesbians to provide foster care also point to the critical shortage of foster care providers.

Proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Civil rights organizations, as well as many major corporations, have sought the passage of the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) since 1996. So far, these efforts have been unsuccessful. The legislators who have sponsored ENDA say they have done so because sexual orientation in the workplace is commonplace and unacceptable. The purpose of ENDA is to prohibit intentional sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace. ENDA would accomplish this goal by adding sexual orientation to the list of protected traits or characteristics that presently includes race, national origin, gender, religion, age, and disability.

The Privacy of Cellular Telephone Numbers

Six of the seven largest wireless telephone carriers say that they will move forward with a plan to compile a directory of wireless telephone numbers. The Wireless 411 Privacy Act has been introduced in Congress to prohibit wireless telephone carriers from including in a published directory the cellular phone numbers of those subscribers who do not give their consent.

The Use of Drug Detection Dogs

In 2004, the United States Supreme Court surprised some court watchers when it agreed to hear a case involving a question of whether the Fourth Amendment requires reasonable, articulable suspicion to justify the use of a drug detection dog to sniff an automobile during a legitimate traffic stop.

Recent News

White Collar Exemptions under the FLSA

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides an exemption from both minimum wage and overtime pay for certain "white collar" workers. To qualify for exemption, employees generally must meet certain tests regarding their job duties and be paid on a salary basis at not less than $455 per week.

Furlough or Layoff: Is There a Difference?

Furloughs are being used more often as employers, both private and public, face economic tough times. Learn about some of the differences between furloughs and layoffs - each measure has different consequences. Know how employer work policies and handbooks may govern furlough procedures.

Burdens of Proof under the FLSA

The Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA") governs, among other things, the minimum wage and overtime payments that employers must pay employees. Whether you're an employer or worker, you need to know some things about the burdens of proof for violations of the FLSA.