Rutigliano: Laws Effective Jan. 1

The state of Connecticut will see new laws take effect on Jan. 1, and while there are many more than listed below, I thought these might be of interest to you.

Distracted Driving
An Act Increasing Fines for Distracted Driving (Public Act 13-271) increases the fine for a first distracted driving violation from $100 to $150; a second violation from $150 to $300; and a third violation from $200 to $500 and creates a point system for offenses that has the potential to affect the violator’s car insurance premium.

Online voter registration

An Act Concerning Voting Rights (Public Act 12-56)previously administered legal changes to the voting system in Connecticut, like Election Day registration, which took effect already. But beginning in January, the Secretary of State’s office will have to establish an online voter registration system which must permit a registered voter to apply to make changes online to his or her registration information.

Firearm background checks & database

Public Act 13-3 also known for its firearms legislation and improvements to school security, requires extensive background checks on gun sales and forces the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to maintain a registry of people “convicted, or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, of an offense committed with a deadly weapon.”

In response to many questions related to the new gun law, our office has established this extensive frequently asked questions web page to help you through the process. Find the FAQs here.

Minimum wage increase

The state’s minimum wage will increase from $8.25 to $8.70 per hour this year, followed by an increase to $9 in January 2015.Public Act 13-117 also increases the “tip credit” in each of those years to keep the employer’s share of (1) hotel and wait staff’s wages at $5 69 and (2) bartenders’ wages at $7.34.

Prescription drug refills

Certain health insurance policies that cover prescription drugs are not allowed to deny coverage for refilling any drug prescribed to treat a chronic illness if the refill is made in accordance with a plan to synchronize refilling multiple prescriptions, according to Public Act 13-131. The plan must involve the insured, a practitioner, and a pharmacist.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Before transferring title to a one- or two-family dwelling, a seller must submit the buyer with an affidavit certifying that the building is equipped with carbon monoxide (CO) detection and warning equipment or does not pose a risk of CO poisoning because it does not have a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. Public Act 13-272 outlines these requirements.

CDL and accelerated rehabilitation

Public Act 13-271 denies accelerated rehabilitation (a jail diversionary program) to anyone charged with a motor vehicle violation while operating a commercial motor vehicle or who held a CDL or commercial driver’s instruction permit at the time the violation occurred, regardless of the type of vehicle he or she was driving at the time. This law also requires a distracted driving task force to come forward with any report it has put together.

All laws effective Jan. 1

To see a list of all the laws effective Jan. 1, 2014, just click on this link. You will be able to see the information behind the bill, the votes, costs, as well as the summaries.

Feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns related to any of these laws, or any state-related issue.

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