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Ohio HB 492 Makes It a Crime for Drivers and Passengers to Refuse to Identify Themselves at Traffic Stops
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 492 on July 7, 2026, requiring drivers and passengers to give their name, address, and date of birth at traffic stops. Effective October 5, 2026.
Ohio Paternity Ruling: No Recovery of $41,000 Child Support
On September 8, 2026 Ohio's Third District held R.C. 3119.961 gives no route to recover child support already paid after a later DNA test disproved paternity.
Ohio Supreme Court: Mobile-Home-Park Owner Not a 'Harborer' for a Tenant's Dog Bite (2026)
The Ohio Supreme Court defined "harborer" under R.C. 955.28(B), holding a manufactured-home community owner was not strictly liable for a child bitten by a tenant's dog.
Ohio Supreme Court: Saving Statute Applies to Whole Action
The Ohio Supreme Court held in Kohn v. Glenmede Trust (2026-Ohio-4001) that the saving statute applies to a refiled action as a whole, not claim by claim.
Oklahoma Landlord Settles DOJ Familial Status Case for $52,500
An Oklahoma City landlord will pay $52,500 to settle Fair Housing Act familial-status claims alleging a refusal to rent to a single mother with a three-year-old.
OPC Opens PIPEDA Probe Into Navigate360 Crime Stoppers Breach
Canada's Privacy Commissioner opened a PIPEDA investigation into Navigate360 on October 27, 2026 over the Crime Stoppers tip platform breach. No finding yet.
OPC Updates Canada Call Recording Guidance on Voiceprint Consent
Canada's privacy commissioner revised its customer call recording guidance on October 8, 2026, treating voiceprints as sensitive biometric information.
Order Sets 16 November for Abortion Pardons in England and Wales
S.I. 2026/1090, made 15 October 2026, sets 16 November 2026 for section 242 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026: abortion pardons and criminal record deletion.
Oregon Federal Court Strikes Online Defamation Suit, Gives Plaintiff 30 Days to Amend
A federal judge granted an Oregon anti-SLAPP motion to strike in Lewis v. StopAntisemitism, finding protected opinion, and allowed 30 days to amend.
Otter.ai Faces Consolidated Wiretap Class Action Over Its AI Meeting Notetaker and All-Party Consent
A consolidated class action accuses Otter.ai's AI notetaker of recording meetings without all-party consent under CIPA and the federal Wiretap Act. Explained.
Otter.ai Lawsuit: Judge Lets Core Privacy Claims Proceed (2026)
A federal judge ruled Aug. 13, 2026 that the Otter.ai class action’s core claims proceed: federal wiretap, California CIPA, and Illinois BIPA. What the order held and what happens next.
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Papermark Accuses Corgi of Copying Its Open-Source Data Room
Papermark's founder publicly alleges YC-backed Corgi copied its AGPL-licensed data-room code for Corgi's new Dataroom. Corgi denies it. What the law says.
Passantino Defamation Suit Against Weissmann Dismissed on Negligence
A D.D.C. judge ended Stefan Passantino's defamation suit on September 21, 2026, holding he pleaded no facts showing negligence, without deciding truth or public-figure status.
Pennsylvania Act 67 of 2026: Rental Application Fee Rule Takes Effect in 60 Days
Pennsylvania Act 67 of 2026 was signed October 22 and takes effect in 60 days. The $20 cap was struck; the enacted rule ties fees to actual admin costs.
Pennsylvania Act 81: County Probation Officer Body Cameras and Wiretap Law
Act 81 of 2026, approved October 22, adds county probation officers to Pennsylvania's wiretap body-camera exception. It takes effect December 21, 2026.
Pennsylvania AG Sues Over Alleged Land Installment Contract Scheme
Pennsylvania's AG alleges two men and seven companies sold homes they did not own under land installment contracts. What the Allegheny County injunction orders.
Pennsylvania AI Deceptive Advertising Act Signed as Act 99
Pennsylvania's AI Deceptive Advertising Act, Act 99 of 2026, takes effect December 21, 2026. What the disclosure duty covers, its exceptions and penalties.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Sues Over Alleged Fake Spotted Lanternfly Permit Mailings
Pennsylvania's attorney general sued Kevin Wardell and Diverse Solutions over alleged fake spotted lanternfly permit mailings. The real permits cost nothing.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Lowers the Proof Bar for Whistleblower Retaliation Claims
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court revived a state agent's whistleblower retaliation claim in Adams v. OAG (July 2026), holding that some evidence of a connection is all the Whistleblower Law demands to reach trial.
Pennsylvania's 'Paul Miller's Law' Takes Effect: Handheld Phones Now Banned Behind the Wheel
Pennsylvania's Paul Miller's Law (Act 18 of 2024) banned handheld device use while driving as of June 5, 2025. Here is what the statute says and why it matters.
Pennsylvania's Top Court: A Slip-and-Fall Suit Can Proceed Against the Owner in Control, Not Every Co-Owner
In Simone v. Alam (2025), Pennsylvania's Supreme Court let a slip-and-fall suit proceed against the owner in control, not every co-owner.
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Queens Council Candidate Charged With Forgery Over AI-Faked Endorsements
Queens DA charged ex-NYC Council candidate Jonathan Rinaldi with forgery over AI-faked endorsements and a fake NY Post story. Charges only; he is presumed innocent.
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Rebel Wilson Wins MacInnes Defamation Case on Australia's Serious Harm Test; Appeal Filed
The Federal Court of Australia dismissed Charlotte MacInnes's defamation suit against Rebel Wilson, finding no serious harm under the Defamation Act 2005 (NSW). MacInnes has appealed.
Rhode Island Enacts AI Recording Consent Laws for Health Care
Rhode Island signed three AI laws on June 22, 2026 requiring AI-scribe patient notice, written consent for AI in therapy, and chatbot self-harm safeguards.
Rhode Island Opens a Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit Revival Window (2026)
Rhode Island Gov. McKee signed S 2616 Sub A on June 11, 2026, opening a two-year revival window (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028) for time-barred child sex abuse claims.
ROAD to Housing Act Becomes Law, Caps Institutional Buyers at 350 Homes
H.R. 6644 became law July 11, 2026 without Trump's signature, barring institutional investors with 350+ homes from buying more single-family homes.
Roy Moore Asks the Supreme Court to Revive His Defamation Award, Explained
Roy Moore filed emergency application 25A1396 asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stay an 11th Circuit ruling that erased his $8.2M defamation verdict. Pending.
Rubinsky Roofing Judgment: $1.52M Penalty, $500K Restitution Fund
A Texas judge signed a $1.52 million DTPA default judgment against Rubinsky Roofing, dated October 5, 2026, ordering a $500,626.64 consumer restitution fund.
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San Francisco Police Audit: Flock License Plate Data Improperly Searched for Federal Agencies (2026)
An SFPD audit found a regional center ran roughly 299 searches of San Francisco's Flock license plate data for federal and out-of-state agencies, which California's SB 34 prohibits.
Saskatchewan's New Defamation Act Is in Force: Take-Down Orders, a Single Publication Rule and 14 Days' Notice
Saskatchewan's Defamation Act, SS 2026, c 15 took effect 1 October 2026, repealing the Libel and Slander Act. What the statute says, section by section.
SB 690 Signed Into Law: What the California CIPA Change Does
California SB 690 has passed the Legislature but is not law. See what the CIPA pen-register bill would change, its current status, and the Governor deadline.
Seattle Bans Pet Rent and Package Fees: What Takes Effect in 2027
Seattle Ordinance 127497 bans pet rent, package and admin fees and requires all-in rental pricing. It takes effect July 1, 2027 for new and renewed leases only.
Serial CIPA Website-Wiretap Filer Declared a Vexatious Litigant
A federal judge declared prolific plaintiff Vivek Shah a vexatious litigant on July 20, 2026, barring new CIPA website-wiretapping suits in the Central District of California without leave of court.
Seventh Circuit Affirms BIPA Exemption for Voice-ID Vendor
The Seventh Circuit ruled Nuance is exempt from Illinois's BIPA under the financial-institution rule for authenticating Schwab customers via voice-ID.
Seventh Circuit Holds Illinois BIPA's 2024 Damages Amendment Applies Retroactively to Pending Cases
In Clay v. Union Pacific (Apr. 1, 2026), the Seventh Circuit held Illinois SB 2979, capping BIPA at one recovery per person, applies retroactively.
Seventh Circuit Revives BIPA Suit Over Gunnar's Virtual Try-On, Narrowing the Health Care Exemption
The Seventh Circuit revived a BIPA suit against Gunnar Optiks, ruling its virtual try-on face scans appear aesthetic, not medical, so the health care exemption cannot win dismissal.
Seventh Circuit Rules TCPA Text Messages Are Not Telephone Calls Under Do-Not-Call Law
The Seventh Circuit ruled TCPA text messages are not telephone calls under Do-Not-Call law, creating a circuit split with the Ninth Circuit's Howard ruling.
Seventh Circuit Upholds Dismissal of AI CSAM Possession Charge
The Seventh Circuit held 18 U.S.C. 1466A(b)(1) unconstitutional as applied to in-home possession of AI-generated CSAM. What the August 25, 2026 ruling does.
Singapore Court Orders Bloomberg to Pay Two Ministers S$230,000 Each in Defamation Ruling
Singapore's High Court ruled Bloomberg defamed ministers Shanmugam and Tan See Leng in [2026] SGHC 147, awarding S$230,000 each and rejecting a public-interest defense.
Sixth Circuit Revives NetChoice Challenge to Tennessee Law
The Sixth Circuit vacated denial of an injunction against Tennessee's social media age verification law but did not rule on the First Amendment merits.
Sixth Circuit Revives Ohio's Parental-Consent Social Media Law (2026)
A divided Sixth Circuit revived Ohio's parental-consent social media law on June 18, 2026 and held NetChoice has no standing to assert minors' rights.
Smithfield to Pay $245,000 in EEOC Pregnancy Accommodation Case
The EEOC says Smithfield Fresh Meats will pay $245,000 to settle a Pregnant Workers Fairness Act suit over its North Carolina plant. What the PWFA requires.
South Carolina's New Squatter Law Creates a Fast Ex Parte Removal Process (H.3387)
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed H.3387 on June 30, 2026, creating an ex parte court order to remove unlawful occupants from a home. It took effect on approval.
South Dakota Supreme Court Affirms Stand Your Ground Immunity in Bunker-Community Shooting
In Anderson v. Streeter (2026 S.D. 17), South Dakota's high court affirmed civil self-defense immunity, holding a shove an hour earlier did not erase the right.
South Dakota's First Anti-SLAPP Law, SB 137, Takes Effect July 1, 2026
South Dakota's SB 137, adopting the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, took effect July 1, 2026, the state's first anti-SLAPP law.
South Dakota's Genetic Data Privacy Act (SB 49) Takes Effect July 1, 2026
South Dakota's Genetic Data Privacy Act, SB 49, took effect July 1, 2026, requiring consent and privacy notices from DTC genetic testing companies.
SSA's 2027 Determinations Notice: Official SSI, SGA and COLA Figures
SSA filed its 2027 determinations notice on October 23, 2026. Due to publish at 91 FR 67380, it sets the 3.6 percent COLA and every 2027 SSI and SGA figure.
Supreme Court Declines to Block Texas App Store Age Verification Law (SB 2420)
SCOTUS denied emergency bids to block Texas's SB 2420 app store age verification law on July 6, 2026. The merits are undecided; Fifth Circuit review is next.
Supreme Court Denies Review in Moore v. Senate Majority PAC, Leaving the Eleventh Circuit's Actual Malice Test for Defamation by Implication in Place
The Supreme Court denied certiorari in Moore v. Senate Majority PAC on October 5, 2026, leaving the Eleventh Circuit's April 24, 2026 ruling that Roy Moore failed to prove the intent component of actual malice in a defamation-by-implication case.
Supreme Court Denies Trump Appeal of Carroll $5M Verdict
The Supreme Court denied certiorari on June 29, 2026, leaving intact the $5 million jury verdict against Trump for abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll.
Supreme Court Limits the Federal Gun Ban on Marijuana Users (Hemani, 2026)
On June 18, 2026 the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Hemani that prosecuting a marijuana user under federal 922(g)(3) was unconstitutional as applied. The statute stays in force.
Supreme Court Overrules Humphrey's Executor, Lets the President Fire FTC Commissioners at Will
On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court held 6 to 3 in Trump v. Slaughter that FTC commissioners can be removed at will, overruling Humphrey's Executor (1935) and unsettling agency independence.
Supreme Court Rejects "Clean-Hands" Wiretap Loophole, Sends Influencer's Case Back to Sixth Circuit
SCOTUS GVR'd Grayson v. United States (No. 25-851) on June 22, 2026, after the SG conceded the 6th Circuit's wiretap clean-hands exception was error.
Supreme Court Rules Geofence Warrants Are a Fourth Amendment Search (Chatrie v. United States)
The Supreme Court held 6-3 on June 29, 2026 that a geofence warrant is a Fourth Amendment search. Chatrie v. United States (No. 25-112) extends Carpenter to phone location data.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Hawaii's No-Carry Default on Private Property Open to the Public
SCOTUS ruled 6-3 in Wolford v. Lopez (June 25, 2026) that states may not make carry a crime by default on private property open to the public.
Supreme Court Tosses Conviction Over a Secretly Recorded FaceTime Call (2026)
On June 22, 2026 the Supreme Court vacated and remanded Grayson v. United States (No. 25-851), reviving a Federal Wiretap Act fight over a secretly recorded FaceTime call.
Supreme Court Upholds FCC Fines Over Carrier Location Data (2026)
The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 on June 4, 2026 that the FCC can fine carriers for mishandling customer location data without a jury, reinstating nearly $200M in penalties.
Supreme Court Upholds Gun Ban for People Under Domestic-Violence Restraining Orders
In United States v. Rahimi (2024), the Supreme Court upheld the federal law barring guns for people under domestic-violence restraining orders, 8-1.
Supreme Court VPPA Case Salazar v. Paramount: Argument Preview
Salazar v. Paramount Global, No. 25-459, is set for Supreme Court argument October 14, 2026 on whether a newsletter signup makes someone a VPPA consumer. No ruling yet.
Supreme Court Won't Revive Dershowitz's $300 Million CNN Defamation Suit; Thomas and Gorsuch Renew Attack on the Sullivan Standard
The Supreme Court denied cert on June 29, 2026 in Dershowitz v. CNN (No. 25-770), ending the $300M suit. Thomas and Gorsuch dissented, urging reconsideration of the Sullivan actual-malice standard.