Legal Action Center Blog - RSS Feed

Need-to-Know News: May 18, 2012

Fri, 18 May 12 14:41:27 +0000

Updates from Us

Earlier this week, we released our updated manual "HIV/AIDS: Testing, Confidentiality & Discrimination. What You Need to Know About New York Law, " a must read for health and social service providers. See our full blog post for details.
Our educational video "Your Rights, Your Future: Preparing for Reentry" is featured as the resource of the week on the New York Reentry Resource Center's website. Follow this link to see or download the video, a guide to help prepare people leaving prison.
LAC has joined other advocates in signing on to a letter supporting the Equal Employment for All Act, which would restrict the use of credit checks for employment.

Also in this issue:

Updated Manual on NY HIV/AIDS Testing, Confidentiality & Discrimination Law Now Available

Mon, 14 May 12 16:19:17 +0000

Need-to-Know News: May 11, 2012

Fri, 11 May 12 13:00:34 +0000

Headlines on Our Issues

State

The New York Times editorial board expressed support for an Assembly bill that would bar city police officers from confiscating condoms from women suspected of prostitution and using them as evidence, citing condoms' crucial role in the fight against HIV.

Also in this issue:

Need-to-Know News: May 4, 2012

Fri, 04 May 12 21:35:04 +0000

Updates from Us

As we noted earlier this week, a recent New York Times editorial on the collateral costs of marijuana arrests cited Legal Action Center's critical work helping clients with criminal histories. Read our blog entry on the editorial for more details.
Roberta Meyers, director of LAC's National HIRE Network, is featured in the recent CQ Researcher report on criminal records and employment. In her column, Ms. Meyers argues in favor of more limits on employers’ access to criminal records to give everyone a fair chance to compete for jobs. Follow this link to see the article.
LAC Legal Director Sally Friedman is quoted in an Addiction Treatment Forum article on our recent report "Legality of Denying Access to Medication Assisted Treatment in the Criminal Justice System." The article also cites many of our other publications on medication-assisted treatment.

Also in this issue:

LAC Featured in New York Times Editorial on Marijuana Arrests

Mon, 30 Apr 12 10:00:44 +0000

Over the weekend, a New York Times editorial on the collateral costs of marijuana arrests cited Legal Action Center's critical work helping clients with criminal histories. As the piece notes, the increase in marijuana arrests in recent years means thousands more people are facing barriers obtaining employment and housing; it also compounds the problem of rap sheet errors.

Need-to-Know News: April 27, 2012

Fri, 27 Apr 12 19:49:27 +0000

Updates from Us

As we reported earlier this week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued new, forward-thinking guidance to employers on the use of criminal records in hiring decisions. Legal Action Center and its National H.I.R.E. Network applaud the new guidance, which is critical to ensuring a fair chance for qualified people with criminal histories to compete and participate in the labor market. Read our full press release for details.

Also in this issue:

LAC, HIRE Applaud EEOC Guidance on Use of Criminal Records in Hiring

Thu, 26 Apr 12 14:48:09 +0000

Need-to-Know News: April 20, 2012

Fri, 20 Apr 12 20:19:37 +0000

Updates from Us

New York Bar Foundation Treasurer John H. Gross, a partner
at Ingerman Smith LLP, with Senior Staff Attorneys Monica
Welby, left, and Kate Wagner-Goldstein.

LAC offers its sincere thanks to the New York Bar Foundation for its most recent grant, presented this week by Treasurer John H. Gross. The foundation has been a continuing supporter of LAC's legal services, particularly rap-sheet education workshops that are critical to helping people with criminal records.
Don't miss a dramatic reading of "In Our Name: A Play of the Torture Years," by LAC Board Member Michael Meltsner, a professor at Northeastern University Law School. The play, an examination of U.S. military operations at Guantanamo Bay, will be presented May 9, 14 and 23 in Manhattan; follow this link for details and reservation information.

Also in this issue:

Need-to-Know News: April 13, 2012

Fri, 13 Apr 12 19:29:57 +0000

Updates from Us

National H.I.R.E. Network Director Roberta Meyers-Peeples will be a featured speaker at an April 19 training for workforce professionals in Manhattan. Follow this link for more information on the training, titled "Strengthening NYC’S Labor Force: Enforcing Anti-Discrimination Protections for New Yorkers with Criminal Histories."

Also in this issue:

Need-to-Know News: April 6, 2012

Fri, 06 Apr 12 17:18:18 +0000

Updates from Us

As we noted earlier this week in our action alert, we're working with other national advocacy groups on a letter urging Congress to provide funds for the Second Chance Act, which provides critical support to improve the coordination of reentry services and policies at the state, tribal, and local levels. Follow this link for the full alert.

Also in this issue:

Federal Action Alert: Support Funding for Second Chance Act in FY 2013!

Wed, 04 Apr 12 15:46:42 +0000

Need-to-Know News: March 30, 2012

Fri, 30 Mar 12 18:27:10 +0000

Updates from Us

LAC was pleased to support a budget deal announced this week that would:
- Allot an additional $1.2 million for alternatives to incarceration and reentry programs;
- Provide $42.3 million for the vital AIDS Drug Assistance Program and increase funding to the Community Service Programs and Multiple Service Agencies initiative; and
- Preserve funding for the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
See our press release for our full statement.
Today and tomorrow are the last days to pre-order the 2012 edition of our highly acclaimed "Confidentiality and Communication: A Guide to the Federal Alcohol and Drug Confidentiality Law and HIPAA" at a 10% discount. Order your copy today!
An article on methadone treatment and driving laws in the April 2 issue of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly cites our “Know Your Rights” brochure and our "Memorandum on Driving and Psychomotor Studies."

Also in this issue:

LAC Applauds NY Budget Deal That Increases ATI/Reentry Funds, Preserves HIV and OASAS Funds

Wed, 28 Mar 12 18:52:58 +0000

Need-to-Know News: March 23, 2012

Fri, 23 Mar 12 18:28:18 +0000

Updates from Us

State Policy Director Tracie Gardner and Board Member Robert Fullilove of Columbia University will be presenting at the "Removing the Bars: TAKE ACTION 2012" conference on March 24. Follow this link for more information on their session, "Legal Health Rights & HIV/AIDS in Prison."
LAC Vice President Anita Marton will be a featured speaker at a March 29 forum on the Rockefeller Drug Laws on Harlem. Use this link for more information on the forum.
As we said earlier this week in our action alert, now is the time to call the New York Assembly in support of legislation giving judges the discretion to shorten the term of probation (bill No. A8089). See our full alert on the issue for details.

Also in this issue:

NY Action Alert: Show Support for Judge Discretion in Probation Sentencing

Wed, 21 Mar 12 16:07:16 +0000

Need-to-Know News: March 16, 2012

Fri, 16 Mar 12 17:17:32 +0000

Updates from Us

The 2012 edition of our highly acclaimed "Confidentiality and Communication: A Guide to the Federal Alcohol and Drug Confidentiality Law and HIPAA" is now available for pre-order at a discount. Follow this link for more on the updates, including a new section on electronic health records. Place your order before April 1 using the discount code NEWSCC12 to get 10% off the $109.99 cover price.
State Policy Director Tracie Gardner and HIRE Director Roberta Meyers-Peeples will present “Albany Up Close and Personal" at the March 21 meeting of the Reentry Roundtable at the Community Service Society in New York. Follow this link to read more.

Also in this issue:

Need-to-Know News: March 9, 2012

Fri, 09 Mar 12 16:12:29 +0000

Headlines on Our Issues

A report released this week by the New York Civil Liberties Union calls on state policymakers to better protect patient privacy in the development of electronic networks.
After Mayor Bloomberg called last year for new York City youths in the state juvenile justice system to be kept close to home, Governor Cuomo included a measure to make that change in his budget plan for the 2013 fiscal year.

Also in this issue:

From Our Partners

Need-to-Know News: March 2, 2012

Fri, 02 Mar 12 19:17:20 +0000

Updates from Us

In a letter published this week in the Record of North Jersey, LAC's national policy director, Gabrielle de la Guéronnière, praises New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's plan to increase the use of drug courts to divert addicted individuals from prison to treatment.
Ms.de la Guéronnière is also quoted in the March 5 edition of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly on the proposed budget for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). With the increasing need for prevention, treatment and recovery services around the country, she said, LAC will be advocating with Congress for the highest possible funding of SAMHSA to ensure that people can get the care they need to avoid disease and to get and stay well.
The Legal Action Center released a statement this week supporting State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein's new report showing gaps in the state's efforts to reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws, and his call for greater coordination and effort to ensure effective implementation of reform. Follow this link to read our full press release.

Also in this issue:

LAC in The Record of North Jersey: Christie Is Right to Invest in Drug Courts

Thu, 01 Mar 12 15:52:45 +0000

LAC Supports Klein’s Report on Gaps in Drug Law Reform Implementation

Mon, 27 Feb 12 14:29:10 +0000

Need-to-Know News: Feb. 24, 2012

Fri, 24 Feb 12 19:03:18 +0000

Updates from Us

Congratulations to LAC Board Member Stephen M. Cutler, who was an honoree at the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest's Law & Society Award Luncheon this week. Mr. Cutler has been executive vice president and general counsel of JPMorgan Chase since 2007.
As we were excited to report late last week, LAC has been named to the executive committee of the governor's new "Work for Success" initiative, designed to reduce unemployment rate among the thousands of New Yorkers reentering their communities from prison.

Also in this issue:

LAC Named to Executive Panel of Governor’s New ‘Work for Success’ Initiative

Fri, 17 Feb 12 18:39:35 +0000

Many of you have seen the news today that Governor Andrew Cuomo has created "Work for Success," an initiative designed to reduce unemployment rate among the thousands of New Yorkers reentering their communities from prison.

LAC is excited to be named to the executive committee of Work for Success, which will be chaired by our advocacy partner Mindy Tarlow, executive director of the Center for Employment Opportunities.

Need-to-Know News: Feb. 17, 2012

Fri, 17 Feb 12 16:32:15 +0000

Updates from Us

Budget Central, a roundup of our advocacy on the 2012-2013 budget in New York, is now live! Keep checking back for updates and events.
Along with our partners in the NY ATI/Reentry Coalition, LAC led a trip to Albany for the coalition's annual advocacy day on Feb. 14. We were pleased to have productive meetings with legislators and staff on both sides of the aisle to discuss funding and legislation.
Our new HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Law Overview course is now featured on the AIDS Institute's Clinical Education Initiatives website.
State Policy Director Tracie Gardner was the featured speaker at the Reentry Roundtable on Feb. 15 in New York. She'll be presenting “Albany Up Close and Personal" at the March 21 roundtable.

Also in this issue:

Need-to-Know News: Feb. 10, 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 12 17:03:09 +0000

Updates from Us

The leading story in the Feb. 13 edition of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly features comments from the Coalition for Whole Health on the Essential Health Benefits Bulletin issued by the Department of Health and Human Services in December. Follow this link to read the comments from the Coalition, which LAC co-chairs.

Also in this issue:

Need-to-Know News: Feb. 3, 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 12 16:54:29 +0000

Updates from Us

LAC State Policy Director Tracie M. Gardner testified before the Joint Public Hearing on Public Protection this week to present the recommendations of the NY ATI/Reentry Coalition. Read the full recommendations here, or see video of the hearing.
The New York Observer is featuring a profile of LAC Board Member Doug Liman in anticipation of his new show on MTV.

Also in this issue: