Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community.
Important links
State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources Page — Texasbar.com/coronavirus
Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program Well-being Resources page — Texasbar.com/remote-well-being
Stay Home – Stay Safe orders from around Texas — The State Bar of Texas has collected a list of cities and counties that have issued “Stay Home – Stay Safe” or shelter in place orders. — Texas Bar Blog
Stay-home orders don’t impact child custody plans, high court orders — Under Texas cities’ stay-home orders, ex-spouses who share child custody were confused about whether they could still take their child back and forth for visitations. The Texas Supreme Court has answered the question: Yes. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Eviction hearings postponed until mid-April due to COVID-19 — While filings can still be submitted, no trial, hearing, or other eviction proceeding may be conducted throughout Texas until after April 19. — KLTV – Tyler
As COVID-19 layoffs increase demand for legal aid, providers expect precipitous funding drop — Legal-aid groups are facing a triple whammy of being forced to work remotely from home like everyone else, expecting a major increase in demand for their civil legal-aid services, and having much less money to keep programs running. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Fears for civil rights mount amid fight against coronavirus — Growing segments of the U.S. population say state and federal governments are trampling on freedoms central to American life in the name of protecting public health. — The Associated Press
Commentary: How to run a successful immigration practice during COVID-19 — Irina Plumlee is a shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr’s Dallas office and head of the firm’s immigration practice. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Houston law school’s Hurricane Harvey preparation led to quick coronavirus response — While many colleges were still in decision mode or preparing for their next steps in response to coronavirus, South Texas College of Law Houston already had a plan. (Subscription required) — Houston Chronicle
State disaster declaration green-lights small-business loans — Economic Injury Disaster Loans, known as EIDL, offer up to $2 million per business at an interest rate of 3.75 percent for businesses which are unable to secure credit elsewhere. — Valley Morning Star
Texas Workforce Commission says it will ‘help everyone that needs help’ with unemployment benefits — The Texas Workforce Commission got 7 times their usual number of calls Sunday. — KUT – Austin
Abortion providers sue Texas over coronavirus-related order — Attorney General Ken Paxton said this week that abortions should not be performed unless the mother’s life is in danger, saying health care capacity needs to be preserved for COVID-19 patients. — The Texas Tribune
Coronavirus is officially in Texas prisons and jails. Now what? — The Texas prison system and Dallas County both reported the first Texas cases of inmates testing positive for the new coronavirus this week. Self-quarantines and social distancing aren’t always possible for those who’ve been exposed. — The Texas Tribune
SE Texas judges to limit stores to one adult per household — The five counties that are a part of the Southeast Texas Regional Emergency Operations Center will not issue a “Stay at Home” order. — Beaumont Enterprise
Those who intentionally spread coronavirus could be charged as terrorists — The Justice Department offers guidance on how to deal with “purposeful exposure and infection of others.” — Politico
Senate passes $2 trillion coronavirus relief package — The U.S. Senate passed a $2 trillion relief measure Wednesday night intended to help hospitals, workers and businesses hit hard by the rapidly spreading virus. — NPR
In coronavirus fight, governors are doing their own thing — Many of the decisions on how to reduce the spread are being left to America’s governors — a cast of characters as unique as all 50 states. — Austin American-Statesman
Trump administration urged to free migrants as virus surges — An ACLU lawyer has warned that if the virus spreads through a facility the number of sick people who would require advanced care could overwhelm nearby hospitals. — The Associated Press
Judge slams emergency motion to halt knockoff unicorn art amid coronavirus pandemic — A federal judge in Chicago had no patience for a lawyer who sought a quick hearing on his client’s bid for a temporary restraining order to halt the sale of knockoff uniform art. — ABA Journal
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