PLAN News Updates

“Clean Slate” Bill Approved by Pennsylvania General Assembly

Henry Leone — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 13:18:45 +0000

The Pennsyvania Senate has passed a "Clean Slate" bill providing for automated sealing of qualified criminal cases (HB 1419) which will be sent to the Governor’s desk. Governor Wolf has pledged to sign the bill, which will make Pennsylvania the first state to seal criminal cases by automated computer processes. The bill enjoyed remarkably broad support, including from legislators and advocacy groups that rarely find common ground.

Clean Slate provides for automatic sealing of arrests ending without convictions immediately, summary offense convictions after 10 years, and some misdemeanor convictions after 10 years. It also expands Pennsylvania’s sealing law to include some first-degree misdemeanors.

Webinar: From Sexual Harassment to Wage Theft — Issue Spotting for Lawyers Working with Low-Wage Workers in the Age of #MeToo

Henry Leone — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:56:14 +0000

The National Women’s Law Center and the National Employment Law Project will be holding a webinar entitled From Sexual Harassment to Wage Theft — Issue Spotting for Lawyers Working with Low-Wage Workers in the Age of #MeToo on June 26, 2018 From 3:00 pm– 4:30 pm Eastern.

Webinar - Empowering People with Criminal Records to Change Policy: A Legal Advocate’s Guide to Storytelling

Henry Leone — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 13:57:27 +0000

The Clean Slate Clearinghouse with funding support from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, will be holding a webinar entitled Empowering People with Criminal Records to Change Policy: A Legal Advocate’s Guide to Storytelling on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 from 2:00pm–3 pm Eastern.

President Intends to Nominate Six Members to LSC's Board of Directors

Henry Leone — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 13:46:14 +0000

President Trump announced on June 6, 2018 his intention to nominate six people to the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC).

Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Presents 2018 Excellence Awards

Henry Leone — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 01:03:44 +0000

After severe weather forced the postponement of the 2018 Excellence Awards in March, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. finally honored the recipients of the 2018 PLAN Excellence Award during the rescheduled Award Banquet on June 6, 2018.

Health Law PA News - May 2018

Henry Leone — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 18:40:09 +0000

The Pennsylvania Health Law Project has published the May 2018 editions of Health Law PA News, a free newsletter containing the latest news relating to Health Law in Pennsylvania.

You can subscribe to receive the PHLP eNews, which links to the Health Law PA News on the PHLP website at www.phlp.org.

Northwestern Legal Services Selects Jacqueline Lager as New Executive Director

Henry Leone — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:02:45 +0000

The Board of Directors of Northwestern Legal Services is proud to announce the selection of Jacqueline Lager as the program's new Executive Director. Jacqueline has been a staff attorney with Northwestern Legal Services since 2013 and has demonstrated her determination to furthering their mission of providing equal access to the civil justice system to people throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania. They are excited to welcome Jacqueline into this new role and to see how her new ideas better shape our community.

Operators of Student Loan Debt Relief Schemes Settle FTC Charges

Henry Leone — Thu, 31 May 2018 18:47:09 +0000

The defendants in two student loan debt relief cases have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission claims that they charged consumers illegal upfront fees and falsely promised to help reduce or forgive student loan debt burdens.

The settlements with Strategic Student Solutions and Bloom Law Group are part of a coordinated federal-state law enforcement initiative targeting deceptive student loan debt relief scam announced by the FTC in October 2017, called Operation Game of Loans.

ABA President Hilarie Bass testifies to Senate in support of increased legal aid funding

Henry Leone — Thu, 24 May 2018 15:27:06 +0000

American Bar Association President Hilarie Bass filed written testimony Wednesday, May 23, with the Senate supporting increased funding for the Legal Services Corporation to help close America’s “justice gap.” The testimony expressed the ever-growing need for legal services in areas including the opioid crisis, and in recent natural disasters. It also emphasized the federal role in justice for all, recommended against placing an unfunded mandate for legal services on states and localities.

PLAN Welcomes 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Summer Interns

Henry Leone — Wed, 23 May 2018 18:12:41 +0000

The 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Summer Internship Program is underway at legal aid programs across Pennsylvania. This year’s class includes law students from Penn State, Penn State-Dickinson, Widener Commonwealth, Pitt, Washington University (St. Louis), Temple, and Florida International law schools. The students attended a two-day orientation program in Harrisburg on May 17-18 and are beginning their summer of service at many PLAN programs.