An agave margarita and gin martini, created by mixologist Jacques Bezuidenhout, stands on a bar in the Starlight Room of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco, December 20, 2012.
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Eric Risberg/AP
Starting today, health care providers in Kansas will be required to ask patients why they are having an abortion. A Florida law goes into effect that allows people who shoot bears on their property to use a “Stand Your Ground”-style defense. It’s July 1, and states across the country are passing laws.
Reports from the NPR network have revealed some striking new laws.
California Alcohol Test Kits
In California, bars and nightclubs that serve only patrons 21 and older must test kits for drug testing on beverages free or at a minimal cost. These types of businesses must also post a notice stating, “Don't be tempted! Drug testing kits for drug addiction are available here. Ask a staff member for more information” in a conspicuous location.
KPBS reports Devin Blankenship of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control says he hopes the law will provide a sense of security for people who go to bars and nightclubs. “If they ever suspect something is going on, they can contact the staff, get a test kit, test their drink and enjoy themselves without having to worry about someone touching or tampering with their drink.”
Abortion clinics in Kansas must ask patients why
Like the Kansas News Service reportsStarting today, abortion providers must ask patients which of 11 possible reasons is most relevant to their decision to have an abortion. Possible reasons include that the patient cannot afford to have a child or that the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.
The question is optional: the law states that if someone refuses to answer, their refusal will be recorded. But legislators voted a proposed amendment that would make it clear to patients that the question is optional.
Iowa imposes restrictions on hemp consumer goods
Starting today, Iowa is banning the sale of hemp-infused “consumables,” such as gummies or drinks, to anyone under the age of 21. according to reports from Iowa Public Radiowhile other states struggle with how and whether to regulate consumer hemp.
The new regulations limit the potency of consumable hemp products that contain the psychoactive compound THC. One problem is that the exact details of the law and how it will be enforced are still being determined. And when it comes to THC in beverages, it gets even more complicated.
Georgia rejects punishment
Those convicted in Georgia of passing false alarms to homes or businesses — a crime known as swatting — will being faced with a crime instead of a misdemeanor, as reported by Georgia Public BroadcastingLegislators increased the punishment after several government officials in Georgia were targeted in attacks at their homes.
'Stand your ground' but for bears (in Florida)
below a law in FloridaPeople will not be punished for killing bears if they “reasonably believe” that their action is necessary to prevent the threat of death or serious bodily injury to a person, pet, or property.
As reported by WFSUThe law has sparked serious debate in the legislature. People who shoot bears must notify the state within 24 hours and prove that they did not intentionally put themselves or their pets in situations where they had to kill bears.
California's 'nonsense fees'
In California, as KQED reportsCompanies must disclose the full cost of everything from hotel rooms to concert tickets up front under a state law that goes into effect banning so-called junk fees. They’re the hidden charges tacked onto a bill just before you pay.
After some last-minute political wrangling in Sacramento, the restaurant industry has been exempted from the new law.
As KQED reports, Minnesota's governor also signed a bill banning junk fees this spring. And lawmakers in Connecticut And New York are considering similar legislation.
Tennessee Protects Musicians From Unlicensed AI
Tennessee this year became the first state to protect musicians from impersonations using artificial intelligence. According to WPLNthat law is one of at least 10 notable laws that came into effect today.
The law, the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act (ELVIS Act), prohibits the unauthorized use of artists' voices due to concerns about the potential impact of the technology on the music industry.
