Posted on October 2, 2013
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, several new laws went into effect that you may be interested in. These were passed during the 2013 legislative session, which concluded in June.
Public Act 13-301 establishes inheritance rights of children born after the death of a married parent.
To deter distracted driving, Public Act 13-271 increases penalties and the fines for using a hand-held cell phone or other electronic device while driving and creates a task force to study prevention of distracted driving. It also creates a first-in-the-nation license point system that could impact your insurance premium.
Public Act 13-183 requires that any food that contains genetically engineered materials be clearly labeled. This law is dependent on neighboring states’ legislation.
Sex trafficking crimes will be hit harder with Public Act 13-166, which makes the funds gained from the seizure of property or money gained through sexual exploitation to be deposited into the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund instead of the General Fund. Also expands the offenses that allow for the seizure of property.
Public Act 13-47 further defines sexual assault as contact with someone who can’t consent because their mental or physical condition makes them impaired to resist or consent.
A town’s excessive noise ordinance is on an objective standard under Public Act 13-174.
Public Act 13-297 makes intentionally interfering with the report of child abuse a class D felony.
A mattress stewardship program that gives money to people who recycle their mattresses was created under Public Act 13-42.
Public Act 13-234 defines licensing requirements for tattoo artists and requires the completion of a course on prevention of disease transmission and the holding of first aid certification.
Public Act 13-92 takes 50 percent of the additional fees collected for tickets given out in work zones to be deposited in the work zone safety account in the Special Transportation Fund.