Interesting Reading................
Some of the more than 500 new laws taking effect today:
Some of the more than 500 new laws taking effect today:
- Impersonating someone on Facebook and other online sites is against the law.- An adult who impersonates another person on Facebook, e-mail messages, social networking sites and other online sites with the intention to harm or defraud faces a prison sentence ranging from 10 days to six months.
- People convicted of a sex offense against a minor or of video voyeurism are prohibited from websites like Facebook whose primary purpose is "facilitating social interaction with other users of the website and which allows users to create web pages or profiles about themselves that are available to the public or other users."
- Abortion is banned 20 weeks after fertilization except in limited medical cases.
- Selling dogs and cats along roadsides or at flea markets is banned.
- Seat belts are mandatory for SUV drivers and passengers.
- --Public school students are required to get instruction about cell phone safety. »New daycares, preschools and certain elementary schools around Louisiana must be inspected for lead contamination.
- Jail escapees can be billed for the cost of hunting them down and returning them to custody.
- Traffic-camera tickets in New Orleans can now be appealed to a judge.
- Motorcycle handlebars - Prohibits motorcycle handlebars from being above shoulder level of the driver.
- Headlights in tunnels. - Sets a fine of $25 for drivers caught not using their headlights while driving through tunnels.
- Electronic proof of insurance. - Allowing drivers to have electronic "proof of insurance" on cellphones and other electronic devices to satisfy state law that requires proof must be carried in the vehicle. The law prohibits a police officer from making random searches of other content on the electronic device.
- Passing school buses. - Increases the sanctions against drivers who pass school buses and cause injury accidents. The penalties range from a $200 fine, six months in jail and loss of license for three months if the accident results in nonserious injury to a maximum fine of $5,000, loss of driving privileges for a year and one year in jail when the accident results in a death.
- Copper theft. - Giving judges the authority to impose stiffer sentences on individuals who steal copper and other metals as well as "railroad track equipment." The penalties would include the fair market value of the materials stolen, the expense of replacing the material and the damages to property done in the theft. The penalties would range from one to two years in jail, a top fine of $1,000 or both if the stolen material is valued at less than $500 to a maximum fine of $5,000 and five to 10 years in jail if the amount taken exceeds $1,000.
- First-degree murder for killing taxi drivers. - Expands the crime of first-degree murder to include the killing of an on-duty cab driver.
- Obscene text messages.- Expands the definition of obscenity to include sending an unsolicited obscene image by text message.
- Impersonating a firefighter. - Makes it a crime to impersonate a firefighter.
- Sex offenders near child care. - Prohibits sex offenders from being within 1,000 feet of a child-care facility.
- Official state boat. - Designates the pirogue as the state's "official boat."
- Breast cancer awareness. - Makes Oct. 25-27 of each year as "Care Enough to Wear Pink Days" in the state as part of the annual breast cancer awareness campaign.
- Irish-American Heritage Month. - Designates the entire month of March each year as "Irish-American Heritage Month" in honor of the contributions of the Irish to the state.
- Tax refund requests. - Allows taxpayers to request refunds as checks, debit cards or as a direct deposit. Previously, those who did not get their refund by direct deposit automatically received a debit card.
- College credit.- Setting maximum of 120 hours of college credit to get a bachelor's degree unless degree program requires additional courses for certification or accreditation.
- Parent-teacher conferences. - Requires local school districts to adopt rules and regulations to deal with parents or guardians who do not attend at least one of two scheduled teacher-parent conferences during the first semester of each year, but the sanctions cannot be assessed against the student.
- Civics courses. - Requires all public schools, but not charter schools, to include "The Founding Principles of the United States of America" in civics and American history courses. Some of the principles to be taught include "Creator-endowed unalienable rights of the people, " the structure of government and separation of powers of the three branches, elections, equal justice under the law, private property rights and due process.
- Several inactive boards and commissions are abolished. The state's Board of Parole is eliminated and its duties given to the pardon board.
- Golf carts can be driven at Palmetto Island State Park.
- Another new law allows more racetracks across the state, including Evangeline Downs, to accept bets over the phone and the Internet.
- Also a new law allows vehicles to have split-screen televisions.
- Louisiana has a new gemstone. - Act 232 names the “cabochon cut gemstone, derived from the Crassostrea virginica mollusk” — oyster shells — as the official state gemstone. The old official gemstone — agate — is now the official state mineral.
- Text messaging banned for all drivers. Fines up to $175 (first offense) and then $500. Primary enforcement.
- Drivers under 18 years old may not use wireless devices — including cell phones, text-messaging units and computers — while operating motor vehicles.
- Drivers with learner’s and intermediate licenses prohibited from using cell phones unless a hands-free device is attached.
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