State legislatures across the country enacted 31,000 laws in 2008, some of which become effective Jan. 1, 2009. The issues range from health care reform to criminal justice to labor practices. Forty-six states met in regular session and three came back for special sessions in 2008.
In Illinois, Alaska and South Carolina, new laws mandate ignition locking devices for those convicted of drunken driving. Californians who text message while driving face a fine and prospective pet owners in Colorado who want to adopt a pet from a shelter must have it sterilized.
Also, convicted sex offenders in Alaska must register their e-mail address in the state sex offender registry database. And 12 states will have a new minimum wage in 2009.
Some legislation may have been enacted in 2007, but becomes effective Jan. 1, 2009, even if the state was not in session in 2008. This is not an exhaustive list, but just a sampling of some new state laws effective Jan. 1, 2009.
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