As vaccination efforts against COVID-19 improve across the country and conversations focus on returning to the workplace, questions have emerged as to whether employers can require its employees to get vaccinated prior to going back. Employers are placed in the position of balancing the general health, safety, and welfare of its employees with the rights provided under various federal statutes.
Read moreThinking Outside the Building: #LibrariesTransform to Serve the Public Where They Are
The second week in April marks National Library Week, and this year’s theme is “Welcome to Your Library.” According to the American Library Association (ALA), this theme “promotes the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building—and that everyone is welcome to use their services.” Looking at the library as more than a building became crucial a year ago as physical facilities closed due to public health concerns. ALA stated, “In 2020, libraries of all types stepped up to meet the needs of their communities as they responded to the impacts of COVID-19, a national financial crisis, and social unrest.” In this blog post, we highlight some of the services and activities offered over the past year by us, Houston Public Library, and Harris County Public Library.
Read moreWhat is a Vaccine Passport?
In the absence of compulsory vaccination, some employers have decided to ensure herd immunity among their employees by requiring a vaccination to work. In December, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued guidance that employers are able to require employee vaccination, so long as reasonable accommodations are provided if possible where the Americans with Disabilities Act applies.
Read moreTexas Eviction Resources for an Uncertain Time
On March 28, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the order halting certain residential evictions through June 30, 2021. However, an emergency order from the Texas Supreme Court “that instructed judges across Texas how to follow the federal mandate expired March 31.” This blog post features resources for residents of Texas who are facing eviction.
Read moreHeinOnline: State Constitutions Illustrated
One of HeinOnline’s newer databases is State Constitutions Illustrated, a collection of the constitutional documents of all 50 states as well as other related works and scholarly articles that impart some additional insight on these constitutional materials. Through this database, users have access to not only the current text of the constitutions but also the original and any consolidated texts, including pre-statehood materials for all 50 states. The resources in the database are current through November 6, 2018 and include almost 9,000 historical and current constitutions and related documents.
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