This week, State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) took the time to review a number of new laws that were passed by the General Assembly in 2009 and are set to take effect on July 1.
"While constituents are understandably awaiting the General Assembly to pass this year's most critical piece of legislation, the state budget, it is important to realize that lawmakers already passed more than 180 new laws, ranging from education reforms to public safety improvements to new consumer protections," Riecken said.
"Laws passed on the state level always have a greater impact on the day-to-day lives of citizens than laws passed at the federal level, and deserve to reviewed and analyzed just as thoroughly," Riecken continued.
The most visible reform of 2009, PL 101, will reduce the number of distractions at the root of most traffic accidents caused by teen drivers. Starting July 1, drivers under the age of 18 will be barred from using cell phones and other telecommunications devices. Teens will be restricted from driving with passengers other than immediate family members for the first six months after receiving their probationary license and will be faced with new nighttime driving restrictions.
Increases in the minimum age to obtain a permit or license will take effect in July of 2010.
"In addition to making the roadways less hazardous for Hoosiers, various other public safety measures are set to go into effect," Riecken said. "Courts will be authorized to require protective order violators to wear GPS units (PL 116), improvements will be made to the way that law enforcement agencies handle missing persons cases (PL 22) and a 'silver alert' system will be created to inform the public of a missing senior or other endangered adult (PL 43). The maximum penalty for feticide, a criminal act that causes the destruction of a fetus, will increase from eight to 20 years (PL 40)."
The most sweeping reform on the education front, PL 121, grants teachers civil immunity from frivolous lawsuits that result from attempting to impose reasonable classroom discipline, and guarantees protection from the Attorney General's office if such a case goes court. The legislation also enhances the criminal background checks that teachers must undergo when applying for or renewing a license.
Several new education laws are designed to help disadvantaged students achieve classroom success. PL 65 creates a state fund to assist school corporations in developing programs that will keep at-risk students from dropping out of school. PL 66 requires school corporations to develop graduated discipline programs that outline actions to be used in instead of expulsion or suspension. Riecken served as a member of the House Education Committee, and was proud to endorse changes in school policies that directly assist students at risk of "falling through the cracks."
Both of these laws were suggested by the Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services, a group designed to evaluate the disproportionate representation of youth of color in state programs.
"Two new laws increase protections for Indiana's consumers, a necessary step to take during a financial crisis," Riecken said. "PL 137 gives the Attorney General increased powers to prosecute identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes across the country. PL 52 makes important reforms in the mortgage lending industry, protecting Hoosiers from brokers who use unscrupulous business practices to make a quick buck off the backs of hard working homeowners."
Riecken noted that the new law will help families refinance high interest adjustable rate mortgages by making prepayment fees illegal, setting up a process by which Hoosiers can reduce payments and save their homes. As the vice-chair of the House Financial Institutions Committee and the main author of PL 52, Riecken was integral in getting this legislation passed.
With PL 111, the Legislature enacted the most comprehensive animal protection measure in recent memory. The law upgrades penalties for animal abuse and imposes reasonable standards of care for dogs housed in mass breeding facilities commonly known as puppy mills. Dogs housed in these facilities are often raised in horrid conditions with no exercise, socialization or human interaction.
A number of new laws honor the service and sacrifice of Hoosier men and women in the armed services. PL 6 allows former prisoners of war to park at any metered space free of charge, PL 102 enables any Purple Heart recipient to attend a state college or university without paying tuition or fees and PL 45 expands the Military Family Leave Act (enacted in 2007) to allow children of soon-to-be deployed soldiers to take an unpaid leave of absence from their job. Under current law, only spouses, parents, grandparents and siblings of active duty soldiers can take time off before deployment.
"As a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee, I feel honored to have supported our servicemen during the 2009 regular session," Riecken said.
Lastly, PL 120 makes our state's election system fairer and more accessible to voters. The new law allows Hoosiers to manage their voter registration profiles online, gives deployed soldiers the opportunity to cast their ballots via e-mail and ensures that police officers, firefighters and paramedics can cast a ballot even if called away from their polling place to respond to an emergency.