EEOC Steps Up Disability Suits

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is stepping up enforcement of workplace disability regulations, the National Law Journal reports. Last week, the agency filed separate suits against Kmart Corp. and Beverage Solutions Inc. over claims that the companies wrongly fired workers with disabilities. Disability bias complaints rose by 10 percent in 2008 to their highest level in 14 years, according to the EEOC. Tresa Baldas, Law.com 06/30/2009

States Can Pursue Cases Against National Banks, Court Rules

States can enforce fair-lending laws against national banks operating within their borders, the Supreme Court ruled Monday. In what many are heralding as a victory for consumers, the high court held that such laws were not pre-empted by federal regulations. The case stemmed from an attempted investigation by New York officials into improper lending to minorities. The case is Cuomo v. Clearing House Association. Marcia Coyle, Law.com 06/30/2009