CLEAR

President's Message by Budd Hetrick

It is my pleasure to report that we are having another good year at CLEAR. Following a successful annual conference in September, we have scheduled additional basic and specialized training programs, a board member training, and an executive leadership program. As CLEAR’s programs continue to expand, its Board of Directors prepares to take another look at our operational plan. This review will ensure that the plan continues to serve us well as a guiding document for the next few years.  Read full message

NCSL: how states define lobbying

The Ethics Center of the National Conference of State Legislatures has posted a report on how states define lobbying. Although every state's law is unique, all states recognize lobbying as an attempt to influence government action, almost always in exchange for compensation. Read more

Ireland: Competition Authority final report

The Competition Authority has issued a final report calling for reform of the legal profession in Ireland. The report makes 29 recommendations, including the establishment of a Legal Services Commission, which are intended to remove the conflict of interest believed to result from professional self-regulation. The proposed new regulatory structure is intended to bring the legal profession in line with Principles of Good Regulation established by the government. Read the Competition Authority's report.    Read Principles of Good Regulation from the UK Better Regulation Commission.

US: insurance regulation - who's protected?

Insurance premiums now equal roughly 10 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. Is it possible that whatever the insurance companies want from lawmakers and regulators, they get?  Read more

Wyoming: statistical handbook for policymakers

The Wyoming Healthcare Commission has released a statistical handbook on health care professionals and facilities in the state. Dixie Roberts, chairwoman of the Healthcare Commission, said the book is intended to help lawmakers and others make decisions.  Read more
Visit the Healthcare Commission's Web site to download the report.

Texas: disciplining death row lawyers

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has adopted rules permitting the nine-member court to sanction lawyers who submit inferior death-row appeals. Lawyers also can be removed for engaging in unprofessional or unethical behavior or if they are found to have provided poor legal representation in a criminal case. 

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Japan & US: medical error reporting

Japan and the United States have much to learn from each other about balancing public accountability and public safety in the area of medical errors, according to a University of Arkansas law professor. In "Medical Error as Reportable Event, as Tort, as Crime: A Transpacific Comparison," Robert B. Leflar says that the US malpractitioner fears lawyers, the Japanese fears whistleblowers, media and the police.
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Ontario: free e-newsletters

Steinecke Maciura and LeBlanc, barristers and solicitors, publish three free e-newsletters:
Grey Areas, dealing with recent professional regulation developments,
Professional Practice & Liability on the Net, and Administrative Law and Practice Points. Visit http://www.sml-law.com/publications/default.asp to read past issues or subscribe.

Indiana: massage therapists to try again

Indiana's Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association will once again push for state licensure of its members when the General Assembly convenes in January.  Earlier this year, Indiana's house voted 82-12 to support regulation, but its senate, where there is leadership opposition to the measure, did not vote.

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India: expanded regulation on the way

The Indian government plans to begin oversight of several unregulated professions, such as real estate agents and electricians, and to initiate review of self-regulating bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). A registry will be established for all business establishments selling goods and services.
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