Massachusetts mandatory health insurance act [MA] News
Massachusetts mandatory health insurance act [MA]

House No. 4850, An Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, signed into law by Governor Mitt Romney April 12, 2006 [bill requiring almost all residents, including the state's 550,000 uninsured, to obtain healthcare coverage]. Read the full text of the act. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

THIS DAY @ LAW

India constitution ratified

On January 26, 1950, India ratified its constitution, formally making the new country a republic. On the same day, Rajendra Prasad was inaugurated as the republic's first president. The anniversary is celebrated today as Republic Day in India.

Tennessee became first state to ban alcohol sales

On January 26, 1838, Tennessee became the first US state to pass a law prohibiting the general sale of alcohol; fines paid by lawbreakers were put towards the support of public schools. Read more about the history of Prohibition.