Amy Lynn Sorrel reports: Michigan’s Supreme Court is set to decide whether the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act preempts a state law allowing defendants in medical liability lawsuits to informally interview plaintiffs’ other treating physicians — a move that doctors say could put them at a disadvantage in defending such cases. At issue is…
Category: Laws
Attorney General defends Indiana robo-call law from national political group’s challenge
In light of a political activist group’s efforts to invalidate state laws protecting consumers from annoying prerecorded calls, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is urging federal officials not to override Indiana’s law restricting robo-calls. Since 1988, Indiana law has prohibited the use of robo-calls — prerecorded messages placed to thousands of phone customers through “auto-dialer”…
Authority to Spy on Americans Unclear as Patriot Act Expires
Elizabeth Gorman reports: Rushed into law by Congress just weeks after Sept. 11, 2001 three controversial provisions of the Patriot Act granting officials far-reaching surveillance and seizure powers in the name of national security, are due to expire this New Year’s Eve. Two differing bills passed by the House and Senate judiciary committees in recent…
Gi: Parliament tightens the screws on computer hackers
Brian Reyes reports: The Gibraltar Parliament has approved new legislation that will allow Gibraltar’s authorities to target cyber crimes such as computer hacking. The Crimes (Computer Hacking) Act 2009 also gives police new powers to intercept computer communications during criminal investigations. Gibraltar’s courts will be able to issue warrants ordering internet providers to tap into…