Smoking laws dictate legal age for purchase and consumption of tobacco products, as well as where smoking is allowed. These laws vary by country and state, and are often contested. Age requirements vary globally, while smoking bans in public places are common. Some smokers protest these laws as an infringement on individual liberties. In general, […]
Independent contractor laws determine when a worker can be classified as a contractor and how they should pay taxes. Contractors are not employees and are responsible for their own taxes. Employers are not liable for providing benefits or insurance to contractors. The IRS has a test to prevent misuse of independent contractor classification. Independent contractor […]
Independent contractor laws determine when a worker can be classified as a contractor and how they should pay taxes. Contractors are not employees and are responsible for their own taxes. Employers are not responsible for benefits or insurance for contractors. The IRS has a test to prevent tax evasion. Independent contractor laws are labor and […]
There are free and paid services to track new legislation, including search engine alerts and legislative notification services. Government websites and advocacy groups also provide information on new bills. Proprietary services offer customizable searches for a fee. You can track new bills through several online services and by contacting local legislators. While there are several […]
Owning an exotic pet may seem appealing, but it is important to understand the laws and regulations surrounding ownership. Many countries have specific laws regarding importing, caging, and caring for exotic pets. Endangered species are often prohibited, and in the US, state laws vary on ownership and may require a license. Even without a license, […]
Passport laws regulate passport handling, access, and lawful use. Eligibility requirements, renewal and expiration procedures, and criminal charges for passport fraud are common laws. Passport fraud is punishable by heavy prison sentences and loss of eligibility for future passports. Passport laws help regulate the handling, access and lawful use of passports. Each country may have […]
Internet copyright laws are covered by existing laws, but some countries have specific laws. Illegal sharing is prohibited, fair use is allowed, and ISPs can be held liable. Public domain works are not protected, but works posted on the internet are not subject to public domain laws. ISPs are protected if they are unaware of […]
Franchise laws cover antitrust, contract, intellectual property, and international law. Franchise relationships involve a franchisor allowing a franchisee to use their system for a commission. Each country has its own franchise laws, such as the FTC Franchise Rule in the US. Franchise attorneys need broad legal knowledge due to regional, national, and international variations in […]
Housing laws provide guidelines for landlords and tenants, covering issues such as security deposits, damages, entry into the unit, and rental prices. Some jurisdictions limit security deposits and regulate fees for repairs and renovations. Housing laws also address landlord entry and some cities have rent control boards. Landlord and tenant laws vary from place to […]
The laws of energy are defined by the three laws of thermodynamics, Einstein’s theories of relativity, and Newton’s laws of motion. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can be transformed into other forms. Einstein’s formula E=MC2 showed that matter and energy are interchangeable. The second law of thermodynamics explains the principle of entropy, where […]
Predatory lending laws are government regulations aimed at curbing unfair lending practices. They can be general or specific, targeting fees, interest rates, or loan deals. Lobbyists may try to sway lawmakers against regulation, and voter sentiment can influence the debate. Predatory lending laws are laws instituted by governments to eliminate or curb lenders’ practices that […]
Statutory law is created and implemented by a legislative body in most jurisdictions. The process involves drafting a bill, review by the entire legislature, presidential approval or constitutional review, and passing by both branches of the legislature. In many jurisdictions around the world, a legislative body is responsible for creating and implementing the statutory law […]
Community development laws govern land sales, location and type of buildings, property tax, zoning ordinances, and water mains. They also cover appraisal, land sales, title search, and construction evaluation for property tax. Zoning ordinances restrict the type of structures that can be placed on land. New water lines may need to be added. There are […]
Death penalty laws vary by country and can be enacted at national or lower levels of government. Laws outline acceptable modes of execution and limit the types of crimes for which a person can be executed. Some countries outlaw the death penalty and prevent extradition to countries where it is allowed. Certain groups, such as […]
Employee privacy laws in the US are limited, with employers having the right to monitor phone and computer communications, and conduct drug tests and video monitoring. California has stricter phone privacy laws, but in all other states, monitoring must stop if a call is personal. Emails and voicemails sent from work devices are not protected, […]
Paternity tests can establish biological fatherhood for financial aid, child support, and legal matters. Tests must be taken in court-approved locations by authorized officials, and laws vary by state. Home tests are not official. A paternity test may be ordered when a woman wants to prove that a particular man is the father of her […]
Union laws protect employees’ rights and help negotiate contracts. The National Labor Relations Act recognizes unions and prohibits discrimination against union members. The Taft-Hartley Labor Act established specific union laws, while international unions promote social justice. Railway and airline workers are governed by the Railway Labor Act. Union laws protect employees’ rights regarding wages, benefits, […]
Union laws protect employees’ rights and help negotiate contracts. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) recognizes unions and prohibits discrimination against union members. The Taft-Hartley Labor Act established specific union laws, including the right to strike and banning union political contributions. International unions also have guidelines to protect members. Union members come from various occupations, […]
Animal cruelty laws vary from country to country and define activities deemed illegal, with penalties including fines, jail time, and community service. Governments have different views on animal cruelty laws, but many argue that cruelty to animals is inherently wrong and can lead to other criminal behaviors. These laws tend to provide more protection for […]
Art copyright laws protect art from being copied, distributed, or performed without the creator’s permission. Reproduction or copy of an artwork without consent violates its copyright protection. Ownership of a work of art remains with the original artist until they renounce it in writing. All forms of art are protected by copyright laws, including visual […]
