Bill to effectively ban panhandling in Indianapolis passes both chambers
Indiana lawmakers have taken steps to significantly expand the definition of panhandling in a measure that effectively bans the activity throughout downtown Indianapolis.
First Amendment
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RFRA ‘fix’ challenged in appellate briefs in lawsuit against city ordinances
Three traditional-marriage organizations challenging the amendment to Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act are asking the Indiana Court of Appeals for relief, asserting they have standing to sue four cities that have enacted anti-discrimination ordinances.
7th Circuit: Litigious inmate’s transfer not retaliation
An inmate serving a life sentence who is known for being a “quintessential jailhouse lawyer” did not prevail in an appeal to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday after the court found his transfer to another prison prompted by his multiple and continued grievances was not a move of retaliation.
Fired Cathedral teacher, archdiocese set to meet in court
After a settlement conference was unsuccessful, oral arguments have been rescheduled for Tuesday in the case involving the former teacher at Cathedral Catholic High School in Indianapolis who was fired for being in a same-sex marriage.
Justices to hear dispute over same-sex foster parents
The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a dispute over a Philadelphia Catholic agency that won’t place foster children with same-sex couples, a big test of religious rights on a more conservative court.
Fetal remains bill heading to House floor
The Indiana House of Representatives was scheduled to hear a bill Monday that deals with the disposal of fetal remains, building on a similar provision in an abortion law the state passed in 2016 and was subsequently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Kokomo councilman ‘sorry’ for Islamophobic posts won’t resign
An Indiana city councilman whose predecessor resigned after posting Islamophobic comments online says he will not step down after he was also criticized for sharing similar views on Facebook.
After 2 US Supreme Court wins, Florida man gets $875K from city
Few people have fought any city hall all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and won, but Fane Lozman did it twice. Now the Florida city he’s battled since 2006 is going to pay him thousands of dollars in legal fees.
IU professor arrested amid protest against white nationalism may sue
An Indiana University associate professor arrested last summer while protesting against a farmers market vendor alleged to have ties to a white supremacist group has taken a step toward filing a civil lawsuit against the city of Bloomington.
Indiana lawmakers step back on ‘In God We Trust’ requirement
Indiana lawmakers have rolled back a proposal to require a poster with the national motto “In God We Trust” and the American and state flags be displayed in all public school classrooms.
Judge calls Notre Dame’s third try at avoiding contraceptive mandate ‘absurd’
At times describing the defendants’ argument as bordering “on the absurd” and noting the policies are already causing injury, the Northern District of Indiana has blocked another attempt by the University of Notre Dame and federal agencies to limit women students’ access to contraceptives.
Religious retaliation, accommodation claims to continue against Brownsburg schools
A federal lawsuit alleging Brownsburg schools discriminated against a former teacher who refused to address transgender students by their chosen first names will continue with claims brought under Title VII, though 11 other state and federal constitutional claims against the school district were dismissed. The judge also cautioned both sides against efforts to expand the issues in the case to nonparty students.
IU prof denied summary judgement in nurse’s abortion retaliation case
A federal judge has denied a motion for summary judgment to an IU nursing professor on a First Amendment claim brought by an associate professor who alleges she was passed over for a teaching position at the school because of her pro-life views.
Appeal set on challenge to Indiana religious objections law
Conservative religious groups are planning to appeal an Indiana judge’s ruling that canceled a trial challenging limits on the state’s religious objections law that were signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence.
Justices could limit job bias lawsuits against churches
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will consider expanding protections for churches against job-discrimination claims.
COA: Elkhart pastor incorrectly found in contempt, ordered to jail
A years-long dispute between an Elkhart pastor and members of his congregation has resulted in a reversal from an appellate panel that determined a trial court erred in ordering the faith leader to spend one month in jail.
Lindman: Trademarks in the Supreme Court: 2019-2020
One could assume that significant issues in federal trademark law were decided long ago; yet, the Supreme Court issued two trademark decisions in 2019 that fundamentally impact trademark protection and has granted certiorari in three trademark cases for the 2019-2020 term.
Indiana legal scholars sign letter endorsing impeachment
Six faculty members from Indiana universities — including four law school professors — are among the more than 775 academics who have submitted a letter to Congress, adding their voices in support of the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
Phone sex operator wins partial victory on appeal
A former phone sex operator who sued the government after she was allegedly fired from a National Guard volunteer position has won partial victory at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found that a book the woman wrote about her phone sex conversations was “clearly protected speech.”
Hamilton County judge rules for 4 Indiana cities in RFRA lawsuit
Four Indiana cities sued for enacting anti-discrimination ordinances that opponents alleged violated religious rights laws have won summary judgment in a lawsuit challenging Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act.