Legal News & Analysis
Breaking developments in recording laws, privacy legislation, digital rights, and legal technology.
521 articles
Massachusetts High Court Strikes Rent-Control Question From the 2026 Ballot
The Massachusetts SJC unanimously disqualified the 2026 rent-control ballot question in Cella v. Attorney General because it exempted religious properties, an excluded matter under art. 48. The 1994 rent-control ban stays in force.
FTC Fines Travel App Hopper $35 Million Over Hidden "Junk Fees"
The FTC announced Hopper will pay $35 million and is barred from misrepresenting fees after alleging it hid pre-selected "Tip" and "VIP Support" charges behind a deceptive checkout design.
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.
Connecticut Auto-Renewal and Right-to-Repair Rules Take Effect
On July 1, 2026, Connecticut Public Act 25-44 took effect: annual auto-renewal reminders, easy cancellation, a private right of action, and repair-access rules.
Arkansas Teen Online Privacy Law (Act 952) Now in Effect
Arkansas Act 952 (HB 1717) took effect July 1, 2026, extending COPPA-style consent, targeted-ad, and data-rights rules to minors up to age 16. What to know.
Washington Work Zone Speed Camera Fines Begin July 1, 2026
Washington's work-zone speed cameras began issuing fines July 1, 2026 under RCW 46.63.200: $125 for a first infraction and $248 after. Here is how it works.
Colorado Ammunition Age 21 Law (HB25-1133) Effective July 2026
Colorado HB25-1133 took effect July 1, 2026, setting a minimum age of 21 to buy ammunition, requiring vendor-assisted sales and age-verified delivery statewide.
Virginia Pay Transparency Law (HB 636): Wage Ranges and Salary History
Virginia's pay transparency law, HB 636, took effect July 1, 2026. Employers must post wage or salary ranges in job listings and cannot ask about pay history.
Florida SB 1128: Unwed-Father Paternity and Time-Sharing Bill
Florida SB 1128 took effect July 1, 2026, giving unmarried fathers a faster path to establish paternity and requiring priority temporary time-sharing hearings.
Utah Digital Choice Act Takes Effect: Data Portability Rules
Utah's Digital Choice Act (HB 418) is now in force as of July 1, 2026, requiring social media data portability and interoperability. What the law requires.
Georgia's New HOA Law Limits When Associations Can Bill Owners for Attorney Fees (SB 406 Takes Partial Effect July 1)
Georgia SB 406, the Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act, takes partial effect July 1, 2026. Section 7 bars HOAs from recovering attorney's fees without notice, itemization, and a court's reasonableness review.
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.
FTC Fines Amazon $2.25 Million for Denying Identity-Theft Victims Their Fraud Records Under the FCRA
The FTC fined Amazon $2.25 million on June 30, 2026 for knowingly violating FCRA Section 609(e) by denying identity-theft victims the fraud records they are owed within 30 days.
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.
Indiana HEA 1210: HOA Rental Votes Go Homestead-Only and Cities Lose Rental Caps on July 1, 2026
Indiana HEA 1210 takes effect July 1, 2026, limiting HOA rental votes to homestead owners and barring cities from capping residential rentals statewide.
Illinois Clean Slate Act: Shorter Waiting Periods to Seal Records Take Effect June 30
Illinois HB 1836 takes effect June 30, 2026, cutting misdemeanor sealing waits from 3 to 2 years. Automatic sealing begins January 2029. What changes now.
Connecticut Expands Its Privacy Law: What PA 25-113 Means Starting July 1
Connecticut Public Act 25-113 takes effect July 1, 2026, lowering the CTDPA threshold to 35,000 consumers and adding neural data, AI-training disclosure, and under-18 protections.
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.
Tennessee Voids Noncompetes Below $70,000: What Changes July 1
Tennessee HB 1034 voids noncompete agreements for workers earning below $70,000/year. Signed May 15, 2026; takes effect July 1, 2026. Key rules explained.
NJ Supreme Court Sets Facial-Recognition Discovery Floor
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled June 24, 2026 that defendants must receive FRT software name, error rates, probe photo, and candidate matches in discovery.
Iowa Locks In 50% Front-Side Tint Floor: HF 766 Takes Effect July 1
Iowa HF 766, signed May 15, 2026, sets a 50% VLT front-side window minimum and a 70% windshield floor in statute. Takes effect July 1, 2026.
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.
Tyra Banks Sues Netflix for Defamation Over "America's Next Top Model" Docuseries
Tyra Banks sued Netflix (No. 2:26-cv-06467, C.D. Cal.) over the ANTM docuseries, alleging her interview was edited into a false, defamatory narrative.
Virginia Wage-Theft Overhaul: HB 238 Adds Liquidated and Treble Damages Starting July 1, 2026
Virginia HB 238 (2026) standardizes wage-and-hour penalties under Va. Code 40.1-29: liquidated damages, 8% interest, attorney fees, and treble damages July 1, 2026.