New law gives Hoosier tenants some relief from eviction stigma
With the signing of House Enrolled Act 1214 into law, Hoosiers who have been evicted then struggled to overcome the stigma now have a way to scrub the “Scarlet E” from their records.
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Faith-based legal office again looking for leader
Stenciled on the back wall of the Expungement Help Desk run by the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic is a reminder that many who come looking to move forward with their lives often photograph and post on their Facebook pages. The message reads: “Don’t look back, you’re not going that way.” As it begins another search for a new executive director almost two years after hiring its previous leader, Amy Horton, the clinic may need to keep that affirmation in mind.
Indiana COVID-19 hospitalizations hit lowest mark since first month of pandemic
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have fallen to their lowest point since the first month of the pandemic, according to the latest figures from the Indiana State Department of Health.
US courts see drop in filings, display strength in ‘trying times’ in 2021
Members of the United States judiciary in 2021 successfully endured a year fraught with challenges, according to a new report from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Judicial officers also saw significant drops in filings in 2021.
Spurgeon: Prioritizing connection in a hybrid world
As the dust settles on COVID-19, it seems it is now easier to become isolated from others in the legal community, and even from those in your own firm. With many courts and law offices going hybrid, there are fewer organic opportunities to connect, whether through in-person court conferences or birthday cake in the break room at the office. Some of these new efficiencies are great, but many come with a trade-off.
St. Pierre: Employers grappling with religious exemptions to COVID vaccine
Previous versions of HEA 1001 provided that any worker could be granted a religious exemption to a vaccine mandate without employers inquiring into the validity of the employees’ claims. Had that version of the bill passed through the General Assembly and been signed by Holcomb, Indiana employers would have clear marching orders when it came to religious exemptions from vaccine mandates. But that provision was hotly contested and, ultimately, removed from the version of the bill that is now law in Indiana. So the question remains: What should Indiana employers do when they receive a request for religious exemption from a COVID-19 vaccine mandate?
Marion County courts change COVID policies as positivity rate drops
The Marion Circuit and Superior Courts have relaxed the COVID-19 public health requirements for individuals and employees entering any of their judicial facilities.
Holcomb signs bill to end health emergency, limit vaccine mandates
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday signed into law legislation to end Indiana’s public health emergency and limit employer vaccine mandates, shortly after state lawmakers sent the measure to his desk.
Bill to end health emergency, limit vaccine mandates heads to governor
The Indiana House voted Thursday to send watered-down legislation to limit employer vaccine mandates to the governor, who is expected to soon sign it into law.
Indiana Southern District Court lifts mask, social distancing mandates
Visitors of the federal courthouses in the Southern District of Indiana will no longer be required to wear face coverings or socially distance while entering and occupying public spaces beginning next week, according to a Wednesday order from Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
Dreyer: Pandemic positives: Confronting the bear
As COVID-19 numbers descend, we are left with a plethora of mixed feelings. Many are overwhelmed with joy and giddiness. Some are still numb and can’t feel anything — yet. And others are trying to make sense of the past two years and the lasting realities that lay ahead. Our courts and judges fit into the latter category.
DTCI: Vaccine or test: The latest in legal precedent for employers in the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 regulations have found their way into the legal and political spheres. The most recent and highly anticipated legal battle made its way to the Supreme Court, leaving the court to decide how employers should be regulated when it comes to mitigating COVID-19 risks. With the current composition of the Supreme Court, including three new justices, the court ultimately left the regulation to the employers themselves, at least temporarily.
Watered-down vaccine mandate limits clear Senate, return to House for consideration
The Indiana Senate passed a watered-down version of the House Republicans’ bill to limit employer vaccine mandates, sending it back to the House where its future is cloudy.
CDC to significantly ease pandemic mask guidelines
The Biden administration will significantly loosen federal mask-wearing guidelines designed to protect against COVID-19 transmission on Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter, meaning most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings.
Indiana hospitals less stressed as COVID-19 surge passes
Officials at Indiana’s largest hospital system said Tuesday that its hospitals have weathered the worst of the latest COVID-19 surge, although they are still treating hundreds of patients with the illness.
Senate Republicans strip down key Indiana House bills in second half of session
Republican leaders in the House and Senate said from the outset of the 2022 legislative session that they didn’t see eye to eye on some of the highest-profile issues — and the Senate proved that last week when it stripped key provisions from several House bills.
Appellate court allows appeal of pandemic unemployment benefits denial to proceed
An Indiana woman may administratively appeal the denial of her application for pandemic unemployment benefits, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled after the Department of Workforce Development failed to present evidence challenging the timeliness of the appeal.
Indiana schools can stop masking, reporting COVID cases soon
Indiana schools and child care programs will no longer have to conduct contact tracing or report COVID-19 cases to the state Department of Health as of next Wednesday, state officials announced Thursday.
Indiana Senate panel waters down vaccine bill, prompting businesses to support it
Lawmakers in the Indiana Senate on Wednesday morning struck language from the House GOP’s vaccine mandates bill that would have forced employers to accept any religious exemptions without further question.
Traveling actor didn’t meet criteria to receive CARES benefits, COA affirms
A self-employed traveling actor from New York shouldn’t have received pandemic unemployment assistance in Indiana via the CARES Act, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed, but not because of where her last employer was located.