November 23, 2024
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New laws summary

Below is a summary of the laws that take effect Saturday, Sept. 17:

Fees

? Marriage license fees rise from $20 to $30, burial permit fees jump a dollar to $5, and vital records fees also increase.

Drugs and alcohol

? Fines increase for furnishing alcohol to minors under 18.

? Minors under 18 barred from tobacco specialty shops unless with parent or guardian.

? Alcohol vaporizing machines outlawed.

? New restrictions on pills used to make methamphetamine.

? Third drunken driving offense upgraded to a Class C crime.

Roads and trails

? Illegal to pass a vehicle where there’s an unbroken center line.

? Parking in access aisles adjacent to handicapped parking spaces is illegal.

? New restrictions on auxiliary lights on vehicles.

? Failing to register motor vehicle within 30 days of moving to Maine is a traffic violation.

? Charities can stage roadblocks to solicit donations.

? Grooming equipment used on snowmobile trails must be registered for $33 fees.

? Snowmobiles must keep to the right of the center of trails at turns and grades.

Consumers and workers

? Insurance companies can no longer “steer” customers with claims to selected repair shops.

? Electronic scanning devices used to lift personal financial data from credit cards banned.

? Hidden fees can’t be charged for not using gift cards right away.

? Faxed ads restricted to business hours weekdays.

? Workers can use vacation or sick time to care for ill family members.

Crime and public safety

? People who use camcorders to tape movies in theaters can be detained.

? Sex offenders registry is extended back an additional 10 years to 1982.

? Taser guns cannot be used to disable another person.

? New crime of “Elevated Aggravated Assault on a Pregnant Person” created.

? Endangering the welfare dependent people who cannot care for themselves is a crime.

Energy and environment

? Rebates given for installation of solar energy systems in homes and businesses.

? 25-cent-per-gallon fees on paint manufacturers to prevent exposure to lead-based paint.

Outdoors and offbeat

? Crossbows legal for big-game hunting during firearms season.

? Moose hunters can use electronic moose-calling devices.

? Free moose permits for nonprofits that give sick people hunting adventures.

? Free any-deer permits for hunters over 100 years old.

? Remote-control hunting banned.

? Former patent medicine Moxie is the state soft drink.


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