A New Year Brings New Laws

It's 2009: You Cannot Text While Driving In Calif., Smoke In An Oregon Bar, Or Pee In Public In N.H.

(CBS/AP)  A New Year brings new laws across the United States.

Some new laws are prompted by how we use technology. For example, in California it's now illegal to read-or-write text messages while driving.

Some people support the new law:

"Texting is more dangerous than talking on the phone," one person told CBS News correspondent Dan Raviv, saying that texters are "not even looking at the road!"

California also has a law against "school bullying" done by the Internet.

A new law going into effect in Arkansas (which was approved by voters in November) bans unmarried couples from adopting children or becoming a becoming a foster parent.

Many supporters of Act One argued that children shouldn't be raised by an unmarried couple, although critics suggested the law was geared primarily toward homosexuals who sought to become foster or adoptive parents.

One Fayetteville couple, Anne Shelley and Dr. Robin Ross, said the new law means their adopted four-year old daughter, a Vietnamese orphan named Eva Mae, will grow up an only child, something they say isn't right.

Shelley said this new law will mean an even greater shortage of homes for needy children.

According to the Department of Human Services, one-third of the 1,100 foster homes in the state are headed by single people.

Oregon joins California, Washington and other states that ban smoking in bars. And if smokers going through withdrawal wanted to dine out on some polyunsaturated fats instead, Oregon blocked that too, with a ban on restaurant foods with trans-fats.

In Illinois, outdoor fitness facilities will be required to have defibrillators. The law was named after Northwestern University football player Rashidi Wheeler, who collapsed and died during a 2001 practice. An investigation found that a defibrillator would have saved him.

Also beginning Thursday, eating disorders will be legally considered "serious mental illnesses" in Illinois, allowing people with the conditions to obtain insurance coverage. The state legislature overruled Gov. Rod Blagojevich's amendatory veto of the legislation to approve the bill in September.

One law not named after Gov. Blagojevich (but wags suggest it might have been) is a prohibition against contractors with $50,000 or more in state contracts from contributing to the officeholder who oversees the deal.

Legislators made no secret that it was aimed at alleged "pay-to-play" practices in Blagojevich's administration, some of which prosecutors were scrutinizing for years before the latest allegations.

Other new Illinois laws include barring employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of genetic testing; further restricting the movements of sexual offenders and preventing them from working as election judges; increasing penalties for people found guilty of possessing child pornography; and extending the time victims may report sexual assault to three years.

In Florida, a handful of new laws include one that gives hospital patients improved consumer protection. It requires hospitals and health care facilities to give patients a good-faith estimate of anticipated charges for planned procedures if requested. They must also post notices in reception areas advising patients how they can get information on charity and discount policies.

Another new measure requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to compile data on the non-discounted costs of some 150 common procedures and diagnostic treatments for comparison purposes.

Another is designed to get better dental service for poor and rural areas.

In Oklahoma only "fire-safe" cigarettes designed to prevent fires will be sold in the state beginning today.

In Georgia, new tax laws will eliminate the state and local taxes for insurance carriers that offer high-deductible health plans. Critics argue that the new law will do little to reduce the ranks of the state's uninsured, but insurers are expected to save up to $146 million over the next five years.

In West Virginia, the business franchise tax and the corporate net income tax rates are both being lowered. Businesses can also get tax credits for creating jobs that are full-time, pay at least $32,000 a year and offer health benefits.

In New York two dozen new laws take effect Thursday. A utility law allows more residents and farmers to send surplus energy produced by wind, solar or other onsite power generating systems to utilities for sale to other customers. If a customer sends more power than they use in a year, the utility pays them for the balance.

Another measure restricts the use of certain anabolic steroids on thoroughbred and harness racing horses. The law restricts the use of four steroids (stanozolol, boldenone, nandrolone and Testosterone) approved by the federal government for therapeutic use on animals. The state law allows using only one of the steroids - often used to help an animal heal from injury - at any one time. The permissible level of each steroid was also reduced.

Among the other new laws: Registration for the state's organ and tissue donor registry will be included on voter enrollment forms.

And in New Hampshire, peeing in public has become costly. The new law makes public urination or defecation a violation punishable by up to a $1,000 fine.

To be guilty, the person would have to know the act would affront or alarm someone else.

The legislation was meant to correct a gap in current law in which public urination was sometimes prosecuted under indecent exposure laws, which could land urinators on a sex offender registry.

[tallyman2008]

We have all known about the ACT of peeing in public

But now it is OK to SAY ''peeing in public'' ?

Not many years ago THAT would ''affront or alarm someone else''

These are amazing times we live in

[evian_ycnan]

"...Or Pee In Public In N.H."

Wow! That`ll kill the pre-dawn beer sales during huntin` season.

One of those "wonders of nature" that a hunter will stand next to his truck and hose his own tire, rather than step 3 feet in the woods first.

I can appreciate that you don`t want to scent the tree stand, but Jeez, do they think Bambi`s gonna steal that POS pick-up?

[erasmus606]

"In Oklahoma only "fire-safe" cigarettes designed to prevent fires will be sold in the state beginning today."

This is the one that get me. How do you make "fire-safe" cigarettes? I''ve never heard of that before.

[clc811]

How about some new laws with stiff penalties for lieing, cheating politicians !

[cj7jeepstir]

I still want to know what gives the Government the right to tell me what I can eat and where I can smoke.
If I want to blow out a lung or be as fat as a haouse it is my business not theirs.

Posted by demswin08

==========================

I''m always amazed at how narrow-mindedly people look at things like this.

First off, they are not telling you what you can and cannot eat. They are telling restaurants that they cannot serve a know dangerous substance to unknowing customers. You are still totally free to go and buy all the garbage you want and shove it down your gullet until you explode.

As far as smoking goes, you are still totally free to smoke yourself into a nice, comfy, rectangular box as fast as you want. But considering the known affects of second-hand smoke, they are attempting to limit the number of unwilling people you can take with you.

People need to look past their own self-centered, selfish interests and see the big picture. It''s not your world, it''s our world. Almost everything anyone does affects somebody else. Whether you agree with them or not, laws like these do not outlaw self-destructive behavior, but are intended to limit that behavior and their affect on others who may not want to take part in it.

[eXecuTech]

WOW! It never ceases to amaze me what these @$$hole politicians do to "justify" their existence. I TOTALLY agree with antixlayer in that these jerks need to spend their time and OUR TAX DOLLARS poring over the REAMS of laws already on the books and repeal the vast majority of them.

The ONLY thing these morons should be doing is protecting and reinforcing our (and their!) freedom by ensuring that any and all laws passed are in accordance with the Constitution. If a law doesn''t imminently protect OUR INHERENT RIGHTS to life, LIBERTY, and property, it shouldn''t be written. PERIOD!

Passing laws against what we do with or put in our own bodies as individuals is not only stupid and wrong, it is ILLEGAL ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION! So WHY do we keep putting up with it???

One day sooner than later, WE as FREE CITIZENS need to unite against THEM as the felonious traitors and thieves they are and restore our rights as intended by the Founding Fathers.

Live free or die, indeed!

[roystoll2]

Why is this the only country in the world ruled by a minority group?

[jsutaguy]

Yet, it''s still completely legal to run a multi-year scam on Wall STreet, and get paid BiLLIONS for it, by taking money out of the pockets of every person in this country:

F u*k the rich. F u*k them.


They''re only rich because they''ve stolen our money by manipulating gasoline prices:
http://tinyurl.com/56onza

Food and Drink prices:
http://tinyurl.com/7psauc

And by taking 7.7 Trillion dollars of our tax money and giving it to Wall Street parasites:
http://tinyurl.com/96a7s4

Who use it to pay for their fourth and fifth luxury homes: http://tinyurl.com/5qf7cu

And taxpayer funded parties: http://tinyurl.com/562moo

While our elderly are forced into the streets by the absurdly rising costs of everything, all manipulated by Wall Street
http://tinyurl.com/9lyamh


How much longer are we going to tolerate these parasites that are destroying our lives, the lives of our children and our elderly parents?

How much longer?

[hitoyou11]

People need to look past their own self-centered, selfish interests and see the big picture.
You sure do. I bet you are the one saying don''t smoke. As long as it is not you being told what to do, you are ok. No I don''t smoke, and I don''t tell others not to. There are a lot more things in the AIR that are going kill you, quicker then smoke.

[stupidrules3]

People need to look past their own self-centered, selfish interests and see the big picture. It''''s not your world, it''''s our world. Almost everything anyone does affects somebody else. Whether you agree with them or not, laws like these do not outlaw self-destructive behavior, but are intended to limit that behavior and their affect on others who may not want to take part in it.


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Posted by cj7jeepstir at 01:07 PM : Jan 01, 2009

Wait until it is your turn to be told that you cannot do what you want and then the view will be a little different.
Did anyone ever notice that they do not take laws off the books? It is not the government''s job to take care of everybody. Heck, they cannot even afford to do what they have already mandated. The government''s overreaching will eventually cause a backlash that will not be pretty. There will eventually be so many laws that everyone in the nation will be a lawbreaker because almost everything will be illegal.

[panhandlpete]

New Laws, New Laws and forget about all the OLD LAWS, like immigration laws. These elected officials have to have something to do to justify their positions. I do agree with the blogger that said we should repeal the vast majority of laws on the books. Somehow the old horse and buggy day laws still exist about domestic matters and in some cases, slavery issues. All laws should have a review clause and become mute if not reviewed. Now that would keep law clerks working normal hours, and make lawyers have coronaries trying to keep current.

For every law written, someone loses a freedom of choice. If it is not me, should I care?

[william783]

Insurance for accidents dramatically decreases when the state has a national healthcare program.

[william783]

The smoking laws are stupid. Any state that has those has got some.. weird politicians running things.

[william783]

Text messaging laws are geared toward public anger and sentiment towards the capitalization of the internet. Thats how congressmen make their money.. they invest in future laws.

[vranger]

Gee could anyone be more thoroughly wrong about EVERYTHING they post about than this William### moron! ROFL

In case you didn''t know, idiot, there are other idiots like you out there killing themselves and others as the merrily text message away while driving. You don''t have a constitutional right to text message and kill people. Get your head out of the sand.

[raskal_2]

make many laws and the people of a country become restless, and many thieves come. Are we sure that all laws are the best answer to having to pee. They do make plastic soda bottles that will not dissolve for a very long time. A strange brew...and I getting so restless I have to pee.

[auscross1277]

A New Year Brings New Laws
*** I just want them to enforce the existing immigration laws! If you came here illegally... you need to get out of our country and return to where you came from... The only way illegals should be allowed to become citizens is if they go back to where they came from, and get to the back of the line behind everyone else that is trying to apply to legally enter the USA... NO AMNESTY!

[tlphippy]

80% of the idiots that pass these smoking bans in bars and restaurants don''t even go to these places.
So why the hell do they get a say in the matter?

[rudy6543]

Posted by auscross1277 at 03:39 PM

As long as employers continue to hire them, and they do and they are republican in the majority of case, that isn''t going to happen. And until the immigration laws make it easier for poor people to come to this country, people will continue to come illegally. Like it or not.

[rudy6543]

Obuma smokes, I would love for him to go into a resturant in OR, UT, WA or CA and light one up! lol! people are so stupid and you voted for those morons to run your community!


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Posted by libssuck3 at 04:50 PM

Can you be any more incoherent in all you have said?

[wardoglrs]

Stupid voter = Stupid Leaders= Stupid law''s

[grimreap21]

You don''''t have a constitutional right to text message and kill people. Get your head out of the sand.
----------------------
Posted by vranger at 03:18 PM : Jan 01, 2009

It really bugs me when people use the phrase "You don''t have a constitutional right"

You should not need a constitutional right to do anything. Governements of any type can not grant rights. Rights are self evident. Government can only take rights away. As long as we the people let the government we are supposed to control, control us, it will keep chipping away at our rights until we have none left.

I am not saying it is ok to text message while driving, frankly it is stupid. Just wanted to make the point about government.

Remember this: "People should not be afraid of the government, government should be afaid of the people." V form V for Vendetta

[nmparadise-2009]

To libssuck 3. Undoubtedly you are not aware of this, but you are one of the stupid people. If I were you, I would never write another comment anywhere on the internet. Because no one cares what your unintelligent and uninformed opinions are.

[nobdysfool]

"In Oklahoma only "fire-safe" cigarettes designed to prevent fires will be sold in the state beginning today"

What in the h*ll is a "fire-safe" cigarette?

[grimreap21]

What in the h*ll is a "fire-safe" cigarette?
------------
Posted by nobdysfool at 05:25 PM : Jan 01, 2009

I was wondering the same thing. I smoke and I don''t see how anything that needs fire can be made "fire-safe"

[debinok1]

was wondering the same thing. I smoke and I don''''t see how anything that needs fire can be made "fire-safe"

Posted by grimreap21
*****************
A "fire-safe" cigarette wont stay lit on its own. if it is dropped or layed down in an ashtray it will go out. It must be inhaled on to remain lit.

[grimreap21]

A "fire-safe" cigarette wont stay lit on its own. if it is dropped or layed down in an ashtray it will go out. It must be inhaled on to remain lit.
----------
Posted by DebinOK1 at 05:43 PM : Jan 01, 2009

So if I put my cig in an ashtray for 10 seconds I have to re-light it? If so, that seems like a much bigger fire hazard. Having to use fire over and over. What if the smoker is drunk and has to keep using matches? Sounds like a bad idea to me.

[erasmus606]

A "fire-safe" cigarette wont stay lit on its own. if it is dropped or layed down in an ashtray it will go out. It must be inhaled on to remain lit.

Posted by DebinOK1 at 05:43 PM : Jan 01, 2009

You mean you''ve got to suck on it non-stop? No pausing in between. Ohhhh, that would kill me.

[debinok1]

So if I put my cig in an ashtray for 10 seconds I have to re-light it? If so, that seems like a much bigger fire hazard. Having to use fire over and over. What if the smoker is drunk and has to keep using matches? Sounds like a bad idea to me.

Posted by grimreap21
********************
It takes about a minute of being left before it goes out. The intent was to reduce the number of house fires caused from someone falling asleep while smoking and also to reduce the risk of grassfires from cigarettes being thrown from vehicles. Yes, it is a pain to have to relight them everytime you lay them down. As to the danger from the matches and lighters who knows what they will come up with next.

[debinok1]

Oklahoma estimates about 15% of house fires are caused by smoking so they decided this was a good idea. Some studies done on the chemical that makes them firesafe suggest the cigarettes will produce more carbon monoxide. More states are considering the same law.

[user168-2009]

"Many supporters of Act One argued that children shouldn''t be raised by an unmarried couple..."

Here are some questions concerning "children shouldn''t be raised by an unmarried couple":

1) Shouldn''t we stop married couple from devoice then, or they should not raise children once they are single?

2) Would you allow just about anybody to adopt or foster children as long as he/she is married?

3) What are the priorities in adopting/fostering children? Shouldn%u2019t we first consider sincerity/truthfulness of intention/love, educated/reasonable attitude/personality, steady/supportive income/effort, and not whether a person is married or not?

The truth is, many child-abuse cases are performed by hateful, ill-minded, and selfish "married couples"...

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/14/national/main4522496.shtml?source=mostpop_story

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/02/national/main4642042.shtml?source=related_story

Do we really illogically think "marriage" instantly change an unkind person to a kind person? Or do we think unmarried people are unkind? Or, it is those who hold "unkind" prejudice thinking towards others (unmarried or gay) are the actual "unkind", and not fitted to be parents, or teachers, community leaders in that sense...?

[tangouniforn]

Why should the law abiding public be required to pay for the *** that does not insure his vehicle.
Just another way Insurance companies will reap the profits from law abiding citizens.


Posted by demswin08

At first blush, the uninsured motorist insurance sure sounds stupid. In the state in which I live, we have such a law. We also have a law requiring drivers to have insurance. The uninsured motorist insurance does not cover the uninsured. It is to protect your vehicle and occupants if involved in an "accident" in which the other driver does not have insurance or leaves the scene of the "accident".

[hetup-2009]

And the most important one of all, marijuana legal in Massachusets! Alright! Still can''t forgive you for your gun control laws but you are doing better.

[grimreap21]

user168 - EXCELLENT questions. I do not believe you will get any consensus on answera here. But, the bottom line is there are too many people on the planet. WE need to stop breeding like rabbits. That way the value of human life goes up.

[grimreap21]

And the most important one of all, marijuana legal in Massachusets!
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Posted by HETUP at 06:15 PM : Jan 01, 2009

Is this complete legalisation or medical use? I didn''t read about this in the article. If it is complete, it is about time.

[tincup356]

All these fine laws are a direct result of where your representation goes...via the lobby dollar route.....who do most new laws benefit? In most cases ...its someone who has big lobby dollars invested. Who says you can''t buy get rich legislation?

[erasmus606]

It takes about a minute of being left before it goes out.

Posted by DebinOK1 at 05:56 PM : Jan 01, 2009

Well, that should save people money on cigarettes. Some people put them in the ashtray and then most of it burns away. Of course it will cost more for matches and lighters to have to keep relighting them.

[debinok1]

Well, that should save people money on cigarettes. Some people put them in the ashtray and then most of it burns away. Of course it will cost more for matches and lighters to have to keep relighting them.

Posted by erasmus606
******************
That is one benefit I have noticed, especially when I get busy. I dont come back to a line of ash. The draw backs are there though, they have a different taste and you have to draw harder to get them lit and keep them lit. I have also noticed a light headed feeling after smoking the new firesafe ones, which could be from having to draw harder or could be from the higher carbon monoxide levels.

[zzy-izzy]

Where i live we have the so called "fire safe" cigarette and to tell you the truth they are not worth a shi! i have more burns on clothes than i ever did before it,s hard to drive and smoke just have a good lighter is all i can say.

[debinok1]

You dont want to pack them either, they wont stay lit at all if you do.

[grimreap21]

could be from the higher carbon monoxide levels.
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Posted by DebinOK1 at 06:31 PM : Jan 01, 2009

Sounds like you will have an excellent lawsuit against this law. If you are being forced to use a product that causes carbon monoxide poisoning then sur the state. I would if they did this in my state. I had CM poisoing once from an industrial accident, it is not pretty.

[erasmus606]

That is one benefit I have noticed, especially when I get busy. I dont come back to a line of ash. The draw backs are there though, they have a different taste and you have to draw harder to get them lit and keep them lit. I have also noticed a light headed feeling after smoking the new firesafe ones, which could be from having to draw harder or could be from the higher carbon monoxide levels.

Posted by DebinOK1 at 06:31 PM : Jan 01, 2009

I don''t smoke anymore, but I was always leaving them burning in the ashtray. I don''t know if I could go through all that with those ones though. I was always pretty careful about making sure they were well into the ashtray though.

I''m wondering what else they added to the cigarette to get it to stop burning. Or do you think that they removed something?

[erasmus606]

You dont want to pack them either, they wont stay lit at all if you do.

Posted by DebinOK1 at 06:40 PM : Jan 01, 2009

You mean you have to roll them yourself?

[grimreap21]

As I light up a non-fire safe cigarette.

[debinok1]

You mean you have to roll them yourself?

Posted by erasmus606
******************
No, they are pre rolled, packing cigarettes is like making them packed tighter. tapping the unopened pack filter end against your hand forces the tobacco tighter into the cigarettes.

[grimreap21]

DebinOK1 - you seem to have a decent balanced opinion on your posts. Refreshing on this sight.

[debinok1]

DebinOK1 - you seem to have a decent balanced opinion on your posts. Refreshing on this sight.
Posted by grimreap21
********************
On some things I do. I do have my soap boxes and I can get pretty vocal.

[debinok1]

I''''m wondering what else they added to the cigarette to get it to stop burning. Or do you think that they removed something?

Posted by erasmus606
***********************
They actually added something called EVA. EVA stands for ethylene vinyl acetate. Nice sounding stuff, huh?

[grimreap21]

On some things I do. I do have my soap boxes and I can get pretty vocal.
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Posted by DebinOK1 at 06:50 PM : Jan 01, 2009

Don''t we all? Reference my post with my tag line from V. But it is still refreshing mot to have the all consuming posts calling names and political "idiot" comments.

Thsnks.

[debinok1]

Don''''t we all? Reference my post with my tag line from V. But it is still refreshing mot to have the all consuming posts calling names and political "idiot" comments.

Thsnks.

Posted by grimreap21
********************
Your welcome. I try to avoid insults and name calling. I got out of grade school years ago no need to act like I am still there.