NEW LAWS IN EFFECT Twenty-two bills passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor went into effect on October 1st. Here is a sampling:
- HB 55 – allows the use of credit cards to pay for background checks for gun purchases.
- HB 135 – allows deaf people to voluntarily identify themselves as hearing-impaired when they register vehicles.
- SB 376 – expands workers’ compensation insurance benefits for firefighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency-medical technicians who suffer from PTSD.
- HB 491 – increases the fine for theft of a commercially-farmed animal or bee colony of a registered beekeeper.
- HB 523 – increases penalties to a third-degree felony for people who trespass on airport property to injure other people, damage property or impede the operations of aircraft.
- HB 961 – allows businesses such as bars to receive up to 10 cases of branded glassware (24 glasses per case) a year from brewers or importers.
- HB 1065 – allows a person receiving a judgment of acquittal or not guilty verdict to have his or her criminal record expunged.
- SB 1576 – allows judges to bar people convicted of animal cruelty from owning pets.