Welcome to Justiceline, ThinkProgress Justice’s morning round-up of the latest legal news and developments. Remember to follow us on Twitter at @TPJustice
- Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) may have found a way around the age-old debate about prayer in schools — by replacing “prayer” with “inspirational messages” in a bill he has just signed into law, despite warnings from the ACLU that it may lead to lawsuits. Under SB 98, students may provide “inspirational messages” at non-compulsory school events and school officials may not interfere with their freedom of speech. Americans United for Separation of Church and State is already advocating for a repeal.
- A federal judge who blocked parts of South Carolina’s harsh immigration law in December said on Monday that the law would remain on hold until an appeals court ruled on the case — so South Carolina cannot enforce the “show me papers” provision that remains in place in Arizona.
- The Hill suggests yet another reason why some suspect the health care debate is so politically contentious: members of Congress and their staff may directly benefit from repeal, thanks to a Republican amendment to the Affordable Care Act that kicks Congress-members and their aides out of the healthcare program for federal employees.
- And finally, a British judge ruled that Samsung’s Galaxy Tablets do not infringe on any of Apple’s designs for the iPad, in what is both a legal victory and a consumer critique for Samsung. According to the judge, Galaxy Tablet just aren’t “cool” enough to be confused with the iPad.
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