Stay Out of It – Inmates Have No Standing to Sue About Phone Bills

Many of our county clients maintain contracts with private service providers for a variety of municipal needs. In a recent case, several California counties were sued by a group of inmates, organized by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, claiming that fees for telecommunications service in jails were an unlawful tax, requiring voter approval under Proposition 26.  The fees for use...

CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT UP ENDS THE APPLE CART ON PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST COSTS

The California Supreme Court just issued a decision reversing a lower appellate court on the issue of redaction costs associated with electronic records.  In National Lawyers Guild v. City of Hayward, Supreme Court Opinion S252445 (May 28, 2020) the Court reversed a decision by the Court of Appeal that had construed the Public Records Act (PRA) as allowing the City...

Obligations of County to Release Personal Health Information re COVID-19

Question:  What information or obligation is the County under to release that person’s personal health information (PHI)? Response:   All of the “old” rules for disclosures, the laws and regulations governing public health, still apply.  In all scenarios, Counties must ONLY release the minimum necessary information for the disclosure. Also, an individual may provide authorization to disclose PHI. In that situation, Counties still...

Recommendations for Rural Communities in Light of President’s Proposed National Reopening

As all of our communities continue to shelter in place and wonder about the future as we deal with Covid-19, the Federal Administration is presenting a possible roadmap for reopening. The plan, prepared in consultation with public health experts, is carried out in three phases which will be tailored to the unique attributes of your community or state. Prentice|Long, PC...

Modoc County Appoints Interim District Attorney

The Modoc County Board of Supervisors announced on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, that Prentice|Long, PC Partner Sophia R. Meyer has been appointed as Interim District Attorney. Ms. Meyer will fill the position recently vacated by Sam Kyllo. Ms. Meyer will be sworn in on April 15, 2020. Ms. Meyer is the former Assistant District Attorney for Modoc County, and held...

Sophia R. Meyer Becomes Partner

Prentice | Long, PC is pleased to announce that Sophia R. Meyer has become a partner of the firm. Formerly having held the position as Assistant District Attorney with Modoc County, Ms. Meyer currently serves as Assistant County Counsel for Modoc County and Alpine County, Deputy County Counsel for Sierra County and Trinity County and Assistant City Attorney for the...