| Network Report
Thursday, January 25, 2024 |
|
|
Many individuals with the potential for pregnancy now find themselves in a state with a partial or total abortion ban. At the same time, 35 percent of transgender youth find themselves in a state with laws banning gender affirming care. However, the Network has identified at least 13 laws across ten states and the District of Columbia that seek to protect access to reproductive health care as well as gender-affirming care in the same act. This resource examines these laws.
|
|
|
|
Voter Trends and Support for Reproductive Rights
As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, states now have more legislative power to restrict or expand access to abortion services. One strategy that states are using to pass laws regarding abortion access is to place the issue of abortion on a ballot for voters to decide. These reproductive care access ballot measures are an important litmus test for the inclination of American voters. |
|
|
| Improving Local Public Health Access to Public Health Data: Illinois Out in Front
Access to timely data is essential for local health departments to provide critical public health interventions. Unfortunately, public health data is typically routed to state agencies where legal barriers, both actual and perceived, to sharing that data back to local health departments are encountered. The Illinois legislature recently passed sweeping legislation that may transform local public health access to key data. This fact sheet examines this new legislation.
|
|
|
| Attempts to Restrict Ballot Initiatives That Protect Abortion Access
When abortion was on the ballot in 2022, voters in several states rallied to enshrine the right to abortion in state constitutions and rejected attempts to further restrict abortions in their states. In the wake of these successful ballot measures, state legislators throughout the country have sought to amend ballot initiative processes ahead of the 2024 elections. This fact sheet outlines proposed amendments by several states that are intended to thwart pro-abortion ballot initiatives.
|
|
|
| Addressing Legal Obstacles to Hiring Formerly Incarcerated Individuals as Community Health Workers
February 15, 2024 | 1 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Despite evidence that Community Health Workers (CHWs) with lived experience of incarceration can help to improve outcomes for individuals reentering their communities, significant barriers impede hiring them to provide direct client care. Attend this webinar to learn about the legal barriers to hiring CHWs with incarceration histories and opportunities for policy change. |
|
|
2024 Public Health Law Practitioners Convening
The 2024 Public Health Law Practitioners Convening, taking place April 30 – May 2 in New Orleans, will focus on the importance of law in public health, the use of the Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach in communities, how to effectively communicate laws and policies, and how to improve health equity. Early-bird registration ends February 29. Learn more and register.
Workshop Proceedings: State-Level Legal and Political Strategies Following the Repeal of Roe v. Wade
These proceedings provide highlights from a National Academies Standing Committee on Reproductive Health, Equity, and Society virtual public webinar exploring state-level legal and political strategies to increase access to reproductive health care services, including abortion care. Discussions included updates on state and federal legal challenges to abortion bans, the role of ballot initiatives in reproductive rights, additional strategic avenues such as legislative advocacy, how the legal landscape affects the science of reproductive health care, and more.
2024 Preparedness Summit
The 2024 Preparedness Summit will be held March 25–28 in Cleveland, Ohio. The summit will provide an opportunity for sectors to come together, align missions, share resources and strategies, and discover ways to work as partners to meet today’s challenges. Early-bird registration ends January 31. Learn more and register. Request for Comments: Lead and Copper Improvements
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing revisions to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for lead and copper improvements under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The proposed rule, which will protect people from significant and irreversible health effects from exposure to lead in drinking water, is currently open for public comment through February 5. |
|
|
Law Clerk, Harm Reduction Legal Project (Remote)
The Network is seeking a law clerk to join our Harm Reduction Legal Project. This position will focus on our work addressing 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. View the full position description and apply.
Law Clerk, Mid-States Region (Remote)
The Network is seeking a law clerk to join our Mid-States Region Team. This position will focus on legal issues regarding public health authority, social determinants of health, health equity, and collecting, sharing, and protecting data for public health purposes. View the full position description and apply.
Western Region Director (Remote)
The Network is seeking a Region Director to provide strategic and organizational leadership for the Network’s Western Region team. This role is responsible for overseeing the Region’s strategic and sustainability planning, day-to-day operations, legal technical assistance, outreach efforts, and product development activities. The Western Region Director undertakes these activities in close collaboration with the Executive team, and other Network teams. The Western Region Director reports to the Network Executive Director and supervises two or more attorneys, and one project coordinator. This position is fully remote. View the full position description and apply.
Cannabis Law and Policy Attorney
The Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law is seeking two attorneys to support cannabis law and policy work in Maryland. The Cannabis Law and Policy attorneys will provide legal technical assistance to state and local public health departments and other executive agencies, legislators, law enforcement, government attorneys, community-based organizations, and judges and judicial staff in Maryland on a broad range of cannabis law and policy issues. View the full position and apply.
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
Our Contact Information Network for Public Health Law 7101 York Avenue South Suite 270 Edina, MN 55435 952-452-9706
|
|
You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive Network communications, or you attended a Network event or webinar. If you no longer wish to receive this email you can manage your preferences below. |
|
|
|
