Supreme Court makes it easier to sue for job discrimination over forced transfers

The Supreme Court has made it easier for workers who are transferred from one job to another against their will to pursue job discrimination claims under federal civil rights law, even when they are not demoted or docked pay.

Workers only have to show that the transfer resulted in some, but not necessarily significant, harm to prove their claims, Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court.

Read more at AP News

House Bill 5048 went into effect on Tuesday, allowing localities to set their own lodging taxes that would only affect visitors, not local taxpayers.

Eight counties are taking advantage of the new legislation, including Kent, Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.

Read more Wood TV8

Michigan to offer free gun locks to help owners comply with new secure storage laws

The program, announced Friday by the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, includes 75,000 cable-style gun locks that are now available at county MDHHS offices and some local health departments. All MDHHS offices should have gun locks available no later than June.

Read more at Detroit Free Press

Under the new law, police officers, family members and mental health professionals can go to a circuit court judge and ask for an extreme risk protection order (ERPO). A judge can then order police to temporarily take away someone’s guns if the petitioner shows specific examples of why the person is a threat. That can include prior acts or threats of violence, a serious history of mental illness or recent drug or alcohol abuse.

It’s aimed to keep guns out of the hands of people deemed to be dangerous

Read more at WoodTV8