State by state, a raft of new laws in effect
Effective immediately:
• Residents of Nevada who are victims of identity theft can apply for a "passport" to avoid mistaken arrest and to help creditors investigate fraudulent activity.
• In Minnesota, day-care centers must keep a record of the make and model of every crib and inspect them once a month.
• Connecticut, New York, and Vermont are among states raising their minimum wage.
Every new year, just as revelers launch into "Auld Lang Syne," new state laws such as these take effect. State legislatures, in fact, are often ahead of Congress in spotting issues and drafting relevant bills.
This year, one of the major themes in state capitols is protecting children. Information security and transportation issues are also prominent. But in all, the laws range widely, from regulations on lobbyists to restrictions on the sale of cold medicines. Taken together, they lend perspective on many of the daily challenges faced by Americans.
"The new laws reflect the diversity of issues that states must deal with," says Bill Wyatt, a Washington-based public affairs manager at the National Conference of State Legislatures. "Some legislatures only meet 30 days of the year, and lawmakers must become experts very quickly."
In the state of Colorado alone, 18 new laws will go into effect. They include new fees for the upkeep of parklands and the extension of health-insurance coverage under a parent's policy for children up to age 25.
A number of state legislatures have focused on the impact of technology. For example, some automobile companies are installing "black boxes" in their more expensive models. These devices, like those in airplanes, record the direction and speed of a car, steering and braking performance, and the status of the driver's seat belt.
Now, Nevada has enacted legislation that requires manufacturers to notify buyers if a car contains such a device and what the black box can record. In addition, the information in the box can be downloaded or retrieved only by the owner of the vehicle.
"Manufacturers want to be able to look at and improve the safety of their vehicles," says Mr. Wyatt. "But the information could also be used in court in product-recall cases or disputes over fault."
Many states have also become alarmed over "security breaches," especially by companies with credit-card or Social Security information. Six states - Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, and Nevada - are requiring companies to notify consumers if sensitive financial information has been stolen. Connecticut goes even further: Residents can "freeze" their credit reports if there has been a slip-up.
New Jersey and Virginia, meanwhile, have barred making public a person's Social Security number.
Nevada's attempt to protect its citizens with "identity-theft passports" is so unique that Wyatt says other states will be watching to see how creditors deal with it and how well it protects Nevada residents.
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