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Richard Piatt ReportingNew drivers, minors seeking an abortion, people who smoke: Those are among the groups affected by a list of new state laws that take effect today. Others could affect you too.
Of the 2-million licensed drivers in Utah right now, new drivers make up a quarter of the auto accidents. According to AAA, the more teenagers in the car, the more likely the crashes are to be fatal. That's why the Legislature passed a couple changes to state driver's license law this year. One keeps new drivers from carrying other kids as passengers for six months. The other change: Drivers under age 17 can't drive between midnight and 5:00am.
Those are among the 304 laws the Legislature passed in 2006 --- a handful of those take effect today.
In the case of 'Felipe', a Mexican youth allegedly beaten by men who yelled racial slurs at him Friday, penalties for his attackers could be enhanced, thanks to a new Hate Crimes law. A $3,000 reward is offered in the case.
Only one part of the law that bans smoking in private clubs and bars goes into effect today, but a lot of bars are choosing to be smoke-free anyway. The ashtray is outside at Junior's Bar's new location.
But a Juniors competitor, Bob Brown of Cheers to You, plans to fight the ban that would affect his bar.
Bob Brown, Cheers to You: "I don't lose the ability 'til January 1 of '09, but I definitely think there's a fight to be fought."
Also, women under age 18 now need their parent's signature before getting an abortion. Some call the pro-life bill a solution in search of a problem.
Karrie Galloway: "There was not a horrible problem, unless you believe a woman does not have the right to choose."
Prison time for killers, filing fees to those seeking divorce, those also are adjustments to state law, part of the work of the 2006 Legislature.
