Update: Distracted Driving Law Toughened in NY

In case you missed it, Governor Cuomo signed into law on July 12, effective immediately, legislation permitting law enforcement officials to stop drivers simply for using mobile devices for activities such as texting while they are driving, whether or not they are committing another offense, such as speeding. The new law, Chapter 109, makes sending or receiving a text while driving, or using a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving, a "primary" traffic offense in New York. The law calls for violators to face fines up to $150 and incur two penalty points on their licenses, but the Governor also announced that he will also "increase the penalty for using a cellular phone without a hands-free device or a handheld device while driving from two to three points through changes in state regulations". For a current comparison of cell phone and texting laws in the various states, check out this chart created by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Clarence Thomas Bobblehead Now Available

In our never-ending quest to keep you informed about U.S. Supreme Court bobblehead figures, we now alert you to the latest such creation, a Clarence Thomas bobblehead. See it and read all about it here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Keeping Track of Financial Reform

Both BNA and CCH have excellent free websites to help you keep track of financial reform.

The CCH Financial Reform News Center

and the BNA Financial Reform Center

Of course, there is also content on this topic in the BNA and CCH subscription databases (provided to the Hofstra Law community by this library).

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well Being, 2011

America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2011 is a compendium of indicators depicting both the promises and the challenges confronting our Nation's young people. This year's report continues to present key indicators in seven domains: family and social environment, economic circumstances, health care, physical environment and safety, behavior, education, and health. This year the report presents a special report on adoption.

This is a useful resource for those engaged in family law research.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Online Resources: Pharmaceutical Law & Industry Report (BNA)

If you are looking for a source that will provide access to coverage of regulatory and litigation developments in pharmaceutical and biotech industries, try the Pharmaceutical Law & Industry Report. This reporter follows major actions at the federal and state level including drug pricing, FDA oversight and other relevant topics as well as links to full-text documents of Federal Register notices, court decisions, and more.

To access Pharmaceutical Law & Industry Report (BNA):

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "Health Law / Medicine" link
• Scroll down to "Pharmaceutical Law & Industry Report (BNA)"

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat