On December 20, 2012, a tequila margarita and gin martini prepared by bartender Jacques Bezuidenhout were displayed at the bar of the Star Room of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco.
Eric Riesberg/AP
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Eric Riesberg/AP
Starting today, in Kansas, health care providers must ask patients why they want an abortion. A Florida law went into effect allowing people who shoot bears on their property to engage in a “stand your ground” type of defense. Today is July 1st, and states across the country are implementing laws.
According to NPR, here are some notable new laws.
California Beverage Test Kit
In California, bars and nightclubs that serve only patrons 21 and older must provide testing kits for drug-testing drinks for free or at a minimal cost. Such businesses must also post a notice in a conspicuous place that reads: “Don’t get drunk! There are drink doping test kits here. Please ask the staff for details.”
KPBS reported that Devin Blankenship of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control Board said he hopes the law will provide people who go to bars and nightclubs with a sense of safety “if they have suspicions about what’s going on.” Being able to contact a member of staff, request a test kit, test their drink and be able to enjoy it without having to worry about someone messing up or tampering with their drink.
Kansas abortion providers must ask patients why
Starting today, abortion providers must ask patients which of 11 possible reasons is most relevant to their decision to have an abortion, according to the Kansas News Service. Possible reasons include the patient’s inability to afford the financial burden of a child or pregnancy resulting from rape or incest.
This question is optional – the law states that if someone refuses to answer, their refusal will be recorded. But lawmakers rejected a proposed amendment that would have clarified to patients that the question is optional.
Iowa restricts cannabis consumables
Starting today, Iowa bans the sale of marijuana-infused “consumable products” like gummies or drinks to anyone under 21, while other states grapple with how and whether to Issues regulating the consumption of cannabis.
New regulations limit the potency of consumer cannabis products containing the psychoactive substance THC.
The problem is that the specifics of the law and how it will be enforced are still being determined. When it comes to THC in beverages, the situation becomes more complicated.
Georgia’s tough penalties
Those convicted in Georgia of issuing a false alarm to a home or business (a crime called “battery”) will He faces felony criminal charges instead of misdemeanors, Georgia Public Broadcasting reported. Lawmakers tightened penalties after several Georgia public officials were assaulted in their homes.
‘Hold your ground’, but for the bears (Florida)
Under a Florida law, people cannot be punished for killing bears if they “reasonably believe” their actions are necessary to avert a threat of death or serious bodily harm to people, pets or property.
The law sparked heated debate in the Legislature, WFSU reported. Anyone who shoots a bear must notify the state within 24 hours and prove they did not intentionally put themselves or their pets in a situation that would require shooting the bear.
California’s “Garbage Fee”
In California, companies are required to disclose up front the cost of everything from hotel rooms to concert tickets as a state law bans so-called junk fees goes into effect, KQED reported. These are hidden charges that are added to your bill before you pay.
After a last-minute political wrangling in Sacramento, the restaurant industry is exempt from the new law.
As KQED points out, Minnesota’s governor also signed a law banning trash fees this spring. Lawmakers in Connecticut and New York are considering similar legislation.
Tennessee protects musicians from unauthorized artificial intelligence
This year, Tennessee became the first state to protect musicians from artificial intelligence impersonations. The law is one of at least 10 notable laws taking effect today, according to WPLN.
The law, called the Securing Sound and Imagery Act (ELVIS Act), prohibits the unauthorized use of performers’ voices amid concerns the technology could impact the music industry.
