Civil Rights
| 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.
More... |
|
|
| 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.
More... |
|
|
| School Dress Codes and the Free Exercise of Religion |
|
| Because public school districts and public boards of education must comply with the provisions of the United States Constitution, they generally cannot infringe upon the free exercise of religion. Although the Court has ruled that public schools must offer equal opportunity and protection to both religious expression and non-religious expression, courts tend not to hold that school dress codes are unconstitutional. Generally, students cannot claim they are exempt from school dress codes or rules that are religiously neutral and generally applicable to all students. Public schools cannot, however, single out religious attire or religious garb.
More... |
|
|
| Feeding Tube Law Declared Unconstitutional |
|
| A Florida woman died nearly two weeks after doctors, under court order, removed her feeding tube for the third and final time. The woman's parents suffered a string of legal settbacks after the removal of the tube, both in state and federal courts, trying to get her feeding tube reconnected. More... |
|
|
| Internet and Telephone Surveillance After September 11, 2001 |
|
| A federal court has ruled that the Internet and telephone surveillance provisions of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) were unconstitutionally broad. Specifically, the federal court rejected the provision that permitted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to demand Internet usage records from Internet Service Providers and other communications firms, without first obtaining a warrant issued by a court. The Security and Freedom Ensured Act (SAFE Act) has been proposed as a bipartisan measure to restrict some of the surveillance and monitoring powers granted to the federal government by the USA PATRIOT Act.
More... |
|
|