New Laws Effective Oct. 1

With the start of October come new laws that may directly affect you, your business or your community.

An entire list of these laws can be found by clicking here.

Here are a few highlights:

An Act Concerning Guardians Ad Litem (GAL) and Attorneys For Minor Children in Family Relations Matters, which puts into effect new requirements and Superior court procedures regarding the appointment of guardians ad litem and counsels for minor children (CMC) in family relations and other matters. The act provides a list of factors for GALs and CMCs to consider in determining the best interest of the child and establishes new compensation requirements.

An Act Concerning Long-Term Care Insurance Premium Rate Increases, which requires long-term care (LTC) insurance providers to disperse premium rate increases of at least 20% over a time period of at least three years. It requires LTC carriers to notify individual policyholders and group certificate holders of any rate increase and provide the opportunity to reduce benefits in order to reduce the rate.

An Act Concerning Stolen Valor, Veterans’ Service Officers and Technical Corrections to the Definition of Veteran, which addresses the crime of falsely portraying oneself as the owner of a military medal to deceitfully acquire money, property or other tangible benefits. The penalty remains to be a fine ranging between $500 to $1,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment.