|
Check
this page periodically for what's happening in our legal world.
Adoption Laws
are to Help Unmarried Partners
Unmarried partners who share parental responsibility for a child may now
be able to adopt under the terms of a new Public Act. This will provide
relief in some cases for unmarried couples who had been denied this right
by a 1999 Supreme Court decision.
Mechanic’s Lien
Protections Expanded: Law Help Equipment Lessors
The Legislature also expanded the scope of the mechanic’s lien law. Prior
law allowed a person who furnished labor or materials to a construction
site to file a lien against the property, securing their claim against
the property owner. The new statute extends this protection to persons
who lease equipment and machinery for use at a job site, and may put them
on a more equal footing with contractors who previously might have been
paid before them.
New Partnership
Laws Make it Important to Review Arrangements
A new Public Act makes changes to the law governing when a partnership
must be dissolved. As a reminder, the existing partnership statutes
specify that as of January 1, 2002, all partnerships will be governed by
the provisions of the Uniform Partnership Act. It may be important to
seek review of existing partnership arrangements before that time.
(Public Act # 00-50)
Lawsuits in
Case of Identity Theft Permitted by Legislature
Another new statute addresses the growing problem of "identity
theft," and authorizes lawsuits in some cases by private citizens
who have been victimized by an identity theft. (Public Act # 00-46)
New
Requirements Imposed for Some Health Care Providers
Athletic trainers and physical therapist assistants will soon be
subjected to licensing requirements, under legislation recently passed by
the General Assembly. The bill provides for new controls and
qualifications on persons acting in these capacities, as well as
licensing fees. Violators of the act can be subjected to civil or criminal
penalties in certain cases. (Public Act # 00-226)
|
