New Year, New Laws

2009 brings with it more than just increases in CTA/PACE fares and parking meters. In fact, more than 100 new state laws went into effect January 1. Here's a look at just a few:

• Alcopops—The definition of "alcopop" has been changed to include energy drinks that contain alcohol and stimulants such as caffeine, guarana, taurine, and ginseng.

• Cigarettes—All out-of-package sales of single or loose cigarettes are prohibited. The new law also makes it explicitly illegal for minors to use altered or fake IDs to buy cigarettes.

• Cyberstalking—The current cyberstalking offense has been expanded to include harassing a person on two separate occasions through an electronic communication, knowingly soliciting that person to commit an unlawful act, and creating an Internet site for at least 24 hours that harasses or threatens another person.

• Disaster Response—Colleges and universities are required to create disaster response plans in coordination with safety officials and practice them at least once a year.

• Domestic Violence Protection—Healthcare providers may not release medical records about a child to a parent when the parent has had an order of protection filed against them.

• Election Judges—Sex offenders will no longer be allowed to serve as election judges, as many schools serve as polling places.

• Genetic Information—An employer may not solicit genetic information of an employee as a condition of employment, nor allow genetic information to impact employment status.

• Guns—Penalties for illegally purchasing or attempting to purchase a firearm have been increased. Instead of 1 to 3 years, buyers now face 3 to 7 years in jail.

• Insurance Coverage—The definition of "serious mental illness" has been expanded to include eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia. This change will require insurance companies to pay for the treatment of such disorders.

• Internet Safety—Schools must teach Internet safety at least once a year to all students in third grade and higher.

• Portable Defibrillators—Outdoor fitness and sports facilities are now required to have an automated external defibrillator on site.

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