Sunday, June 24, 2007
Thirteen New State Laws Go Into Effect Tuesday.
Several new laws that were approved by the General Assembly will go into effect Tuesday.
· Minimum Wage. HB 305 will increase the current minimum wage to $5.85. The minimum wage will go up to $6.55 on July 1, 2008: and $7.25 on July 1, 2009.
· Speed Limits. SB 83 allows the Transportation Cabinet to increase the speed limits interstates and parkways to 70 mph in areas where it’s determined that vehicles can travel safely.
· Sex Offender Registry. SB 65 will require registered sex offenders to include their e-mail, instant message and other internet identities on the state’s sex offender registry.
· Military Burial. HB 280 will require that a funeral director involved in arrangements for a deceased veteran provide a fact sheet stating military burial rights.
· School Bus Safety. HB 230 will prohibit school bus drivers from using cell phones while transporting students. Exceptions would be made for drivers without two-way radios who need to communicate with their dispatchers and in times of emergency.
· Methamphetamine lab cleanup. HB 94 will establish standards and procedures for authorities to follow to ensure proper cleanup of the toxic materials left behind by illegal meth labs.
· License plates. HB 390 will eliminate all fees for special Gold Star Mothers license plates that are available to mothers who lost a son or daughter in service.
· Jury duty. SB 111 will allow a mother who is breastfeeding a child to be excused from jury duty.
· Human trafficking. SB 43 makes it a felony to force someone into labor, domestic work or the sex trade.
· Deceptive business practices. HB 246 will prohibit flower shops from misrepresenting their business locations in telephone directories.
· Bluegrass music. HB 71 designates bluegrass music as the official state music of Kentucky.
· Assistance laws. SB 23 will prohibit the denial of emergency medical treatment to an assistance dog because of a handler’s inability to pay prior to treatment.
* Veterans' families. HB 128 will expand the eligibility for education benefits available to family members of deceased or disabled veterans.
· Minimum Wage. HB 305 will increase the current minimum wage to $5.85. The minimum wage will go up to $6.55 on July 1, 2008: and $7.25 on July 1, 2009.
· Speed Limits. SB 83 allows the Transportation Cabinet to increase the speed limits interstates and parkways to 70 mph in areas where it’s determined that vehicles can travel safely.
· Sex Offender Registry. SB 65 will require registered sex offenders to include their e-mail, instant message and other internet identities on the state’s sex offender registry.
· Military Burial. HB 280 will require that a funeral director involved in arrangements for a deceased veteran provide a fact sheet stating military burial rights.
· School Bus Safety. HB 230 will prohibit school bus drivers from using cell phones while transporting students. Exceptions would be made for drivers without two-way radios who need to communicate with their dispatchers and in times of emergency.
· Methamphetamine lab cleanup. HB 94 will establish standards and procedures for authorities to follow to ensure proper cleanup of the toxic materials left behind by illegal meth labs.
· License plates. HB 390 will eliminate all fees for special Gold Star Mothers license plates that are available to mothers who lost a son or daughter in service.
· Jury duty. SB 111 will allow a mother who is breastfeeding a child to be excused from jury duty.
· Human trafficking. SB 43 makes it a felony to force someone into labor, domestic work or the sex trade.
· Deceptive business practices. HB 246 will prohibit flower shops from misrepresenting their business locations in telephone directories.
· Bluegrass music. HB 71 designates bluegrass music as the official state music of Kentucky.
· Assistance laws. SB 23 will prohibit the denial of emergency medical treatment to an assistance dog because of a handler’s inability to pay prior to treatment.
* Veterans' families. HB 128 will expand the eligibility for education benefits available to family members of deceased or disabled veterans.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 7:41 AM 
