Posted: 8/2/05
By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Sixty-one new laws took effect on Aug. 1, ranging from a 75 cents a pack cigarette fee increase to displaying of the American flag.
The stateís minimum wage, which hasnít been increased in about eight years, will increase for employees working for larger companies from $5.15 to $6.15 an hour ñ for employees working for smaller companies making minimum wage, their pay will increase 35 cents an hour.
Itís estimated about 50,000 Minnesotans will get a salary increase under the minimum wage legislation, according to House Research.
In the area of human services, besides Gov. Pawlentyís controversial healthcare impact fee ñ the cigarette fee increase ñ going into law, the so-called ìUnborn Child Pain Prevention Actî will require healthcare providers to inform women whether a painkiller would alleviate pain for a fetus during an abortion.
Another law will strike from state statute definitions like ìmentally retardedî or ìhandicapped personsî to definitions seen as less negative by disabled people.
Yet another law will allow high school students to take pain relievers such as Tylenol for minor ailments while in school.
In the area of crime, new laws can have dangerous, violent sex offenders locked up for life while other sex offenders can be given indeterminate sentences ñ potential lifetime sentences unless proving they pose an acceptable risk in being let out.
To combat methamphetamine (meth), lawmakers passed a new law making it a felony to steal, purchase, or possess anhydrous ammonia with the intent of cooking meth.
Anhydrous ammonia is used as fertilizer, and farmersí supplies of the product are often the target of meth producers.
As of Aug 1, it will be a crime to knowingly provide a cop with false information. It will also be a crime to accuse an officer of misconduct when knowing that the allegation isnít true.
One new law carried by Rep. Gregory Davids, R-Preston, holds landowners who allow people to go rock climbing or cave exploring on their property at no charge less responsible if someone engaged in these pursuits gets hurt. Gov. Pawlenty vetoed the bill a year ago following the deaths of three teens exploring caves near the Mississippi River in St. Paul from carbon monoxide poisoning.
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