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40K New State Laws Kick In for 2012

Includes abortion restrictions and voter identification laws

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 31, 2011 3:10 PM CST

(Newser) – The new year has brought us about 40,000 state laws ranging from abortion and voter restrictions to golf cart requirements and a ban on happy hours. MSNBC runs down a few of them:

  • Several states will require employers to confirm the legality of workers through a federal system called E-Verify. Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina all have versions of the law.

  • Sports coaches in Colorado will be required to sit players as young as 11 who have endured a head injury.
  • In Illinois, people under 18 will have to wear seat belts when taking cabs for school-related purposes.
  • A California law will require gay and lesbian history to be taught in public schools. Opponents have filed initiatives to block the law or let parents pull students out of class during the new history lessons.
  • New Hampshire Republicans have passed a law over gubernatorial veto requiring girls seeking abortions to tell a judge or their parents first.
  • Kansas, Rhode Island, Texas, and Tennessee will all have laws requiring voters to show photo ID.
  • Seems golfers in Georgia were driving their carts out into traffic. A new law will mandate that carts have brakes, a horn, and other safety requirements.
  • Which state will effectively ban happy hour? Utah. Daily drink specials there will be illegal in 2012.
See more of the new state laws here.

In this Dec. 20, 2011 photo, road signs warn of golf cart traffic in Peachtree City, Ga.
In this Dec. 20, 2011 photo, road signs warn of golf cart traffic in Peachtree City, Ga.   (AP Photo/David Goldman)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 43 comments
TheVEG
Jan 2, 2012 4:31 AM CST
We're a nation of laws governed by the rule of law. And if there's no law against doing something one likes doing, then it's not illegal regardless of how immoral/unmoral it may or may not appear to be ['cause morals are just a matter of opinion...who's right or wrong???...you because of what you believe...or me because of what I believe?].  How do cops know when to arrest you or judges know when to convict you?  Especially if someone else makes claims or allegations against you (perhaps out of their own moral convictions)? Besides, most laws usually come as a direct result of events, needs, or actions. Some laws are used by business as another form of monopoly.  But just because all these laws are created, doesn't mean they're going to be permanent or go unchallenged.  Why all the fear mongering?  
crafter67
Jan 1, 2012 12:01 PM CST
And these are the states that the "small government" crowd wants to trust our civil rights and environmental health to?  No, it's easier to keep track of one government rather than 50 of them.
robobebo
Jan 1, 2012 6:48 AM CST
Looks like CO and CA have things on track, but holy jeez god damn NH, get with the mother loving program..  Seriously, is that new law even... legal?  Last I checked, the Federal decision was a woman's right to CHOOSE. Honestly, NH has a some nice mountains and great lakes, but GTFO of the North East.  You're giving us all a bad rep.
 

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