Network Report Thursday, February 24, 2022 
Early on in the pandemic, as the inequitable COVID-19 health outcomes experienced by Black, Hispanic, Latino and Latina, and Indigenous communities were becoming more pronounced, many state and local governments created task forces to address the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 on communities of color and other marginalized populations. The Network analyzed the composition and role of these task forces, the legal mechanisms establishing them, common categories of task force recommendations and top policy recommendations, and opportunities for task forces to translate recommendations into actions that advance health equity. Learn more. 
Barriers to a Diverse and Robust Public Health Law Workforce A competent and diverse public health law workforce is essential to accomplishing health equity goals. Yet the public health law field—like the public health field generally—has struggled to create and maintain a robust and racially diverse workforce. Several barriers to entering the field, such as financial impediments, historic and persistent racial disparities that create a lack of mentorship for young attorneys of color, and a dearth of full-time, accessible job opportunities, may hint at possible approaches to expanding and strengthening the public health law workforce for the future. 
Legality of Expired Naloxone in Kansas In response to the ongoing opioid overdose crisis, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have modified their laws to increase access to naloxone, the standard first-line treatment for opioid overdose. While these laws have been successful in increasing access to this lifesaving medication, few explicitly address the legality of distributing and administering naloxone that is past its expiration date. This fact sheet briefly discusses the efficacy of expired naloxone and examines whether Kansas law permits the distribution and administration of such naloxone.
Homeownership brings stability to families, can revive struggling communities, and contributes to economic growth and improved health outcomes. Unfortunately, safe and stable housing via ownership is not attainable for everyone. A system of “shared ownership” called a community land trust (CLT) can make homeownership permanently more affordable and accessible. CLTs, typically organized as non-profits, buy properties and sell the residences on the properties for a low price to individuals or families with low incomes. This resource provides a comparison of CLT and traditional homeownership. 
Federal Vaccine Mandates: Assessing their Legalities TODAY: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET | February 24, 2022 Recent judicial trends challenging Federal vaccine mandates, along with the Supreme Court decision that struck down OSHA’s large employer mandate, raise significant concerns over the utility of mandates as a preventive measure. Attend this webinar to learn about the major federal vaccine mandates and their current legal status; the judicial trends underlying changing attitudes and approaches to vaccine mandates; and the future of mandates and vaccine policies. 
April 25 - 27, 2022 | Baltimore, MD Join us in Baltimore to examine the use of public health measures to mitigate harm from COVID-19, recent legislative and other efforts to severely limit these measures, and strategies to strengthen public health’s capacity to protect communities and advance health and racial equity. The Summit will be divided into two Sections: (1) Strengthening Protections for Community Health and (2) Advancing Health and Racial Equity. Attendees can choose to register for one or both. Learn more and register.
Announcements The Network’s Harm Reduction Legal Project Receives Renewed Funding from Arnold Ventures Arnold Ventures has renewed funding support for the Network’s Harm Reduction Legal Project, which works to address the legal and policy barriers that impede the establishment and expansion of evidence-based harm reduction measures such as naloxone distribution, syringe access programs, and access to evidence-based substance use disorder treatment. The Project works directly with public health agencies, harm reduction organizations, and advocates to assist them in leveraging existing law and modifying law and policy to reflect evidence-based practice.
As more states contemplate cannabis legalization, understanding the broad spectrum of public health and policy issues, including advertising restrictions, personal cultivation regulations, social consumption sites, delivery services, local authority to limit or prohibit recreational marijuana enterprises, and social equity measures, is critical. To assist those working in the everchanging environment of cannabis legalization, the Network is launching a newsletter with quarterly updates on statutory and regulatory changes at the federal and state level, key issues, emerging research and articles related to cannabis use and distribution. The first issue is planned for early March and those interested can subscribe here.
Job Opportunities Marketing and Communications Associate – Network National Office The Network seeks an individual who is passionate about social justice to join us as our Marketing and Communications Associate. This position will help us successfully raise our national profile, engage with our key constituents, expand our reach, and improve our support to communities. The Marketing and Communications Associate must be a self-starter, with strong written and verbal communication skills. This position is based at the Network’s National Office in Edina, Minnesota.
Director, Health Law Program, School of Law Boston University School of Law is accepting applications for the position of Director of the Health Law Program and Lecturer of Law. The Director will help manage and grow the program, ensure a quality student experience, maintain the school's USNWR ranking, and conduct employer outreach to improve graduate career outcomes, as well as manage and expand grant applications.
Worth Sharing Global Certificate In Legal Epidemiology The Temple University Center for Public Health Law Research has launched a non-credit certificate teaching the foundational theories and methods of legal epidemiology — the scientific study of the impact of laws and policies on health. Through three comprehensive modules, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the foundations of legal epidemiology and the transdisciplinary model of public health law.
The APHA call for abstracts for the APHA Annual Meeting, Nov. 6-9 in Boston, is now open. Submissions for oral, roundtable and poster presentations are being accepted. Abstracts from all areas of public health are invited but submitters are encouraged to submit abstracts related to the APHA 2022 theme “150 Years of Creating the Healthiest Nation: Leading the Path Toward Equity.”
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Thank you! Your interest in the work of the Network is important. Together, we can advance law as a tool to improve public health. Please forward the Network Report and encourage others to join the Network! The Network for Public Health Law provides information and technical assistance on issues related to public health. The legal information and assistance provided in this document does not constitute legal advice or legal representation. For legal advice, readers should consult a lawyer in their state.
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