New Laws Effective October 1, 2026
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Key Takeaways
- Veterans may receive waived driver’s license fees and dental benefits
- Illegal school bus passing will bring a six-month license suspension after three violations
- Distracted driving in highway work zones will become reckless driving
- New laws address child welfare accountability and residential care monitoring
Several new laws will take effect October 1st that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some of them below.
I co-sponsored a bill to recognize and honor our veterans. Among the provisions is one that allows the fee to be waived for a driver's license for any Department of Veterans Affairs verified veteran. The bill also creates a Veterans Dental Care Program to help eligible veterans get certain dental services. The bill sets an annual program cap of $3,000 per eligible veteran for covered services.
We also passed bills to help protect public safety on our roadways. One bill taking effect October 1 would increase the penalty for a driver who is observed illegally passing a stopped school bus three or more times. They will now have their driver’s license suspended for six months. Under a different bill, distracted driving in a highway work zone will now be considered reckless driving, increased from being classified as a misdemeanor.
Other major acts include:
- An Act Concerning the Nonissuance of a Standing Criminal Protective Order in the Case of a Family Violence Crime
- An Act Concerning the Use of Technology for Virtual Monitoring in Residential Care Homes
- An Act Concerning Child Welfare Accountability and Transparency
An expanded list of those that will take effect on October 1, along with summaries, can be accessed here.
Feel free to share this information with anyone who may benefit from it.