Most people know that, on June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the case that had made abortion legal nationwide since 1973. Under the new ruling (which you can read here), individual states can decide whether to make abortion legal or illegal.
What, then, is the legal status of abortion in each state?
The New York Times is tracking that question here, with a series of maps and charts. It will update this page as states’ laws change. Another source for this information is this state-by-state guide.
If you’re curious about the status of abortion worldwide, check out this page from the Center for Reproductive Rights.
At the intersection of Wilmington and Jones Streets sits a handsome white building. It looks like this.
Inside that building is the Government & Heritage Library, which is part of the State Library of North Carolina. The GHL Library has thousands of books you can check out plus dozens of databases you can use from home. And it’s all free!
What do you need to access these materials? A GHL Library card.
Just fill out this form, and you’ll get your card number via email. This is all you need to access the databases. If you want the physical card, you can pick it up at the handsome white building at Wilmington and Jones.
For more information, click here or contact the Library at 919-814-6790 or slnc.reference@ncdcr.gov.
In the last day or two, you may have read headlines like the following:
N.C. Senate Passes Medical Cannabis Legislation
Those who follow this issue know it’s been a long, winding road. Does this headline mean the journey is over? Is medical marijuana now legal in the Tar Heel State?
No. The journey is only half over. S.711, known as the Compassionate Care Act, still has to pass the NC House of Representatives, which will probably make changes to the bill. It would then need to go back to the Senate to agree with the changes. If the Senate makes further changes, then it would go back to the House . . . you get the idea.
Bottom line: medical cannabis in NC is not dead. But it is not yet legal. You can track the bill through every step on the General Assembly website or the UNC School of Government Reporting Service.
Curious about other states’ medical marijuana laws? This page from the National Conference of State Legislatures can help.
How about a federal law? The United States House of Representatives recently passed this bill. It will have to be passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by President Biden to become law.
By now, most people have heard about the horrible shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas. Both shooters were 18 years old and had acquired their guns legally.
This raises the question: what is the minimum age for owning a gun in North Carolina?
Long Guns
There is no NC statute specifically addressing so-called long guns–rifles, carbines, shotguns, etc. Instead, the minimum age for purchase is set by federal law (18 USC Chapter 44) at 18 years.
Pistols/Handguns
Two NC statutes govern the issue of minors and handguns.
Other Resources
Gun Laws (Findlaw)
Federal Firearms Laws (Congressional Research Service)
NY State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (an ongoing U.S. Supreme Court case that could change gun laws nationwide)
In North Carolina this morning, the state average for gas was $3.92 a gallon, according to WBTV. That’s up 4 cents in the last 24 hours and up 71 cents from one month ago.
Some of you may be wondering: what does state law have to say about such price increases?
There is one statute, N.C.G.S. 75-38, specific to this topic. It covers price increases during states of disaster or emergency.
Here are more resources that can help you research the issue.
Is North Carolina under a state of emergency?
Actually, yes. Executive Order No. 116, issued way back on March 10, 2020, is still in effect.
What powers does the governor have during a state of emergency?
Read all about it in the Emergency Management Act.
How does gas pricing work anyway?
This article explains it nicely.
What if I want to complain to somebody?
The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office is the best place to contact. You can call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or fill out this online complaint form.
At our library, we have gotten several questions lately about the issue of hospitals or nursing homes telling people they are not liable for injuries or deaths that occur related to the coronavirus.
Is that really a law? our callers ask.
The answer: yes, it is.
The law is S.B. 704, the COVID-19 Recovery Act, which was passed in 2020. Among other things, the law provides significant liability protection for health care facilities and providers “that may result from treatment of individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency under conditions resulting from circumstances associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency.”
This article explains the law in more detail.
While we’re on the subject, did you know the library maintains an up-to-date list of COVID-related laws, policies, and resources? Check it out here.
What is our library asked for the most? Good question.
Statuses of bills, certainly.
Committee minutes, without a doubt.
Candy? Well, Easter is coming up.
And reports. We generally have two types: those by the legislature and those written for the legislature by other agencies. Many of them are in full text on our website.
Don’t see the report you need? Let us know! We might be able to track it down.
Wondering what laws passed by the General Assembly take effect today?
We have a chart for that!
Click this link and scroll down to “Legislation Effective October 1, 2021.”
Questions? Call us at 919-733-9390.
You’ve heard about it. You’ve read about it. Maybe you’ve been sitting at a family reunion, picking at the potato salad, when Uncle Ted has wandered up and tried talking about it.
It, of course, is voter ID, an initiative to require voters to show a government-issued photo ID when they go to the polls.
The General Assembly has tried several times over the years to implement this system, and the courts have consistently blocked it. What’s happening with those cases now?
Check out this useful guide to stay informed.
On August 27, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court ended the nationwide eviction moratorium that the Centers for Disease Control issued earlier this month.
Here is the Court’s opinion doing that. The opinion doesn’t say when, or how, the moratorium must be ended. It lists no deadlines and spells out no procedures.
What, then, should you do if you are facing eviction? Here are some resources that may help.
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Toll-free helpline: 1-866-219-LANC
U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
This agency can help if you live in federal housing.
Lawyer Referral Service
This service will connect you with an attorney who specializes in your area of need for a 30-minute consultation. The cost is $50.
NC Attorney General
You can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division here.
For more free or low-cost legal resources, click here.
Finally, you can contact your state senator and/or representative. Don’t know who that is? Click here to search by your street address.