Archive for the ‘Taylor Baublitz’ Category

Social media is one of the fastest ways to deliver information to a large group of people. Occasionally on social media, it is common to “block” people so that you do not have to see their posts and vice versa. However, when a public official blocks someone and prevents them from receiving information—is this a violation of their First Amendment rights? This November the Supreme Court must determine if public officials engaging in “state action” are constitutionally permitted to block certain parents from their social media accounts used to promote school policies and provide general information to others[1]. Depending on… read more »

Adults are presumed to have capacity, but does everyone truly have it? Capacity is defined as the “ability to effectively communicate one’s wishes.” Capacity, however, is not a diagnosis. It is well settled in Pennsylvania case law that “…mere weakness of intellect resulting from sickness or old age is not legal grounds to set aside an executed contract if sufficient intelligence remains to comprehend the nature and character of the transaction.” Cardinal v. Kindred Healthcare, Inc., 155 A.3d 46, 50 (Pa. Super. 2017). There are several things that may “tip off” families that an individual would benefit from a capacity… read more »

When it comes to parking enforcement and restriction in local municipalities, decisions fall on the shoulders of the municipality’s leaders. Under the U.S. Constitution, it is within a municipality’s police powers to enact new ordinances to enforce parking and safety measures. When determining whether a new ordinance is lawful, the ordinance must pass the rational basis test [1]. To pass this rational basis test, there must be both 1) a legitimate governmental interest; and 2) the ordinance must achieve the governmental interest in a reasonable manner. In addition to the use of parking meters in company with signs providing notice… read more »

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a federal law, which requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer an undue hardship. This new statute is very similar to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which excludes pregnancy alone (absent medical complications) from the definition of disability. Like the ADA, reasonable accommodations may include modifications to the work environment or job processes. Under both acts, such modifications are not required where they cause significant difficulty or expense. Reasonable accommodations for… read more »

Taylor M. Baublitz has joined the Board of The Parliament Arts Organization. The Parliament Arts Organization is a non-profit arts collective in the Royal Square District of Downtown York focused on empowering artists and transforming York through its gallery shows, events, and workshops to support artists. Margaret “Mieke” Driscoll, Chair of the Firm’s Business Practice Group, has been named to the Powder Mill Foundation Board of Trustees. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the York Symphony Orchestra, the York County Community Foundation, and WITF, where she has been honored as an Emeritus. Beth J. Kern was recognized… read more »

In a 786-page decision issued on February 7, 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed. The case William Penn School District et al. v. Pennsylvania Department of Education et al. was filed against the Pennsylvania Department of Education, state legislative leaders, state education officials, and the governor (collectively, the “Defendants”) in 2014 by six Pennsylvania school districts, four parents of minor children, the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – Pennsylvania State Conference (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”). The Plaintiffs claimed… read more »

On November 29, President Biden, through the U.S. Department of Energy, announced that applications are open for the Renew America’s Schools grant program. This first-of-its-kind investment will enable K-12 public schools to make clean energy improvements and upgrades that will lower energy costs and foster healthier learning environments. The grant provides a total of $500 million in funding. The first round of grants will provide up to $80 million for schools to install energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, improve the insulation of their facilities, switch to electric vehicles, and convert facilities to renewable energy sources such as solar and… read more »

On June 23, 2022, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education released its proposed changes to the existing regulations, inviting public comment. The proposed rule is the result of a comprehensive review of Title IX regulations that began in March 2021.  The proposed changes to the regulations include, but are not limited to, the following: Protection for students and employees from all forms of sex discrimination and sex-based harassment. Protection for the right of parents/guardians to support their children. Requirement that schools take swift action to end any sex discrimination and prevent its recurrence…. read more »

Welcome, Attorney Taylor M. Baublitz! A York County native, Taylor grew up in a home that emphasized the value of education. Her parents taught her to think critically with reason, but also encouraged her creativity. At Lebanon Valley College, Taylor chose classes of great interest to her, which resulted in an Art History major with a Political Science and a Law and Society double minor. In her last year of undergraduate studies, Taylor interned for the Lebanon Valley Public Defender’s Office. The Public Defender’s Office primarily represented indigent adult and juvenile defendants with misdemeanor or felony charges. She gained experience… read more »