New Laws of 2013

I recently read an interesting article discussing the new laws that will take effect in 2013.  Since it is hard to keep track of all these new laws, I decided to share some of them with you.  According to the article, the new laws will take effect on January 1 in most states.

The following are some of the state laws taking effect in 2013:

Gay Rights:

• Maryland: Voter-approved laws allowing same-sex marriages will take effect in January
• Maine: Voter-approved laws allowing same-sex marriages will take effect on Saturday
• California: A law that exempts clergy members opposed to gay marriage from performing same-sex marriage ceremonies will take effect

Laws that Protect Children from Bullying and Abuse:

• California: Coaches and administrators in schools who have regular contact with children, will be required to report suspected child sexual abuse
• Florida: The Safe Harbor Act will require police to turn over to the Department of Children and Families any children who are alleged to be sexually exploited or dependent for assessment and possible shelter
• Oregon: A law requiring schools to adopt a policy on teen dating violence will take effect

Immigration Laws:

• Pennsylvania: A law that requires contractors on public works projects to use the federal E-Verify system to make sure that their employees are legal U.S. residents will take effect
• Montana: A Montana ballot measure denying illegal immigrants of state services will take effect

Abortion Laws:

• Georgia: A law prohibiting doctors from performing an abortion 20 weeks after an egg is fertilized unless a pregnancy is determined to be medically futile will take effect
• Montana: A Montana ballot measure requiring parental notification for minors’ abortions will take effect
• New Hampshire: A law banning “partial birth abortion” (a type of late-term abortion procedure) will take effect

Other Laws:

• Georgia and Pennsylvania: A law that raises employers’ contributions to unemployment compensation trust funds will take effect
• Utah: A law exempting U.S. military personnel from having to pay a full year’s property taxes after their return from 200 days of active duty in any calendar year will take effect
• Florida: It will no longer be illegal to flash your headlights to warn oncoming drivers that police are lurking on the roadside ahead
• California: A law banning the use of dogs when hunting bobcats or bears will take effect