CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) – Beginning July 1, several new laws will take effect in the state of Tennessee.
To make sure you're up-to-date on the latest laws, here's a quick reference:
Budget - Enact the state's $30.78 billion annual spending plan
Primary Elections Change – The Presidential Primary in Tennessee will move to the first Tuesday in February.
Cyber Charter School - Authorize a cyber-based public charter school that provides educational resources to students by way of the Internet in a "virtual" classroom setting.
Anti-cyberbullying law – Schools are required to create policies to punish cyberbullying – using social media or text messages (or similar electronic transmission) to bully another student.
Due Care law for cyclists and joggers – recognizes the right of joggers and cyclists to use bike lanes or sidewalks. The law also increases the punishment against a driver for striking a cyclist or runner.
GPS for domestic violence suspects – This new law provides for a GPS monitoring device to be placed on a person suspected of domestic violence. Victims will be able to use a device to alert them when the alleged attacker is approaching.
Harsher DUI law – Increase from three to five years the minimum time period a driver's license may be revoked for a third DUI offense.
Red Light Camera Law – the new law prohibits the issuing of a red light ticket when a driver makes a legal right turn at a red light.
Public Breastfeeding – Allows for women to breastfeed a child of any age in public.
Union Ballots - Allow employees to vote by secret ballot on whether or not they want to unionize.
Disability Unemployment - Allow an injured employee to collect unemployment where the employee loses his or her job due to a disability resulting from the work-related injury.
Sports Agent Registry - Require anyone who claims to be a sports agent to register with the Secretary of State. Failure to do so could result in a penalty of as much as $25,000 and up to six years in prison.
No Drugs or No Welfare - Prohibit an individual convicted of a felony for possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance from being eligible to receive welfare benefits.
Prohibit Pretrial Diversion for Violent Crimes - Eliminate pretrial diversion for the most dangerous criminals in the state.
Gang Wiretapping - Authorize judges to allow a district attorney to use a wiretap when the interception may provide evidence of criminal gang-related activities in aggravated burglaries.
Children on the Sex Offender Registry - Add juveniles convicted of the most violent sexual offenses to the state's sex offender registry.
Code Blue Alerts - Allow law enforcement to immediately put out information about suspects when a police officer is missing, injured or killed in the line of duty.
Move Over for Utility Trucks - Measure allow companies to advertise on the state Department of Transportation's emergency trucks and 511 help phone line.
Protect Hospitals - Continue the hospital assessment adopted last year to prevent cuts to state hospitals.
Lights for Organ Transports - Add vehicles transporting certain organs for human transplantation to the current list of those authorized to display amber and white lights.
Mountaintop Mining Ban - Prohibit an operator from stripping rock from property without a permit from the state's commissioner of environment and conservation.
