Laws News

12:24 PM EST
2/9/2012 San Francisco expands ban on plastic bagsRetailers in San Francisco will not be asking customers if they prefer paper or plastic when bagging goods. And, if customers don't bring their own reusable bags, they will have to pay for one. The ordinance is meant to reduce litter and waste processing costs. All retail outlets must stop distributing single-use plastic bags by October.

Source:AHN Topics:Arts, Culture And Entertainment, Fashion, Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Environmental Issue

9:02 AM EST
2/9/2012 Washington state poised to enact same-sex marriage lawWashington state is poised to legalize same-sex marriage following passage of legislation in the state House, a victory for rights advocates who early this week celebrated a court ruling striking down California's ban on gay marriage.

Source:AHN Topics:Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Politics, Government, Social Issue, Minority Group, Gays And Lesbians

8:15 AM EST
2/9/2012 Breaking down legal barriers to HIV information accessWhile a number of Asian and Pacific countries are addressing legal barriers to accessing HIV information and treatment, there is still a gap between policy and implementation, say officials.

Source:IRIN Topics:Health, Disease, AIDS, Healthcare Policy, Crime, Law And Justice, Laws

2:37 PM EST
2/7/2012 Appeals court strikes down California same-sex marriage banA federal appeals court has struck down Proposition 8 that banned gay marriage in California.

Source:AHN Topics:Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Civil, Social Issue, Minority Group, Gays And Lesbians

7:26 AM EST
2/7/2012 Appeals court to issue ruling on California's gay marriage ban TuesdayConservatives and gay advocates nationwide early Tuesday anxiously awaited the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on the constitutionality of Propositiion 8, California's ban on same-sex marriage.

Source:AHN Topics:Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Politics, Constitution, Social Issue, Minority Group, Gays And Lesbians

9:11 AM EST
2/2/2012 Washington state Senate approves same-sex marriage billWashington state senators approved legislation allowing same-sex marriage Wednesday night, two weeks after Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire introduced the measure in the legislature.

Source:AHN Topics:Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Politics, Government, Social Issue, Minority Group, Gays And Lesbians

5:06 PM EST
2/1/2012 U.S. increases penalties for smuggling by ultralight planePresident Barack Obama is expected to sign a new law within days that increases the penalties for smuggling over the U.S. border using ultralight aircraft.

Source:AHN Topics:Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Criminal, Organized Crime, Crime, Drug Trafficking

10:13 AM EST
1/30/2012 Conservatives to rally against gay marriage bill in MarylandConservatives and opponents of same-sex marriage were set to rally in Annapolis Monday evening, a week after Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley introduced a bill legalizing gay marriage in the state. The gathering organized by the Maryland Marriage Alliance has the support of the archdiocese of Baltimore, which successfully worked with conservative groups last year to defeat a same-sex marriage bill in the state House.

Source:AHN Topics:Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Civil, Politics, Human Rights, Social Issue, Minority Group, Gays And Lesbians

3:36 PM EST
1/24/2012 Supreme Court tax case to determine extent of IRS enforcement authorityThe U.S. Supreme Court plans to issue a ruling in a corporate tax shelter case this spring at a time of uncertainty in the tax laws.

Source:AHN Topics:Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Civil, Corporate Crime, Fraud, Economy, Business And Finance, Finance

11:38 AM EST
1/18/2012 New Mexico governor seeks to end licenses for illegal immigrantsNew Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez plans to push for the approval of a bill denying driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, an effort Democrats will have to oppose quickly during the legislature's 30-day session.

Source:AHN Topics:Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Politics, Migration, Social Issue, Demographics, Illegal Immigrants