New Laws Take Effect October 1
FROM 151st District STATE REPRESENTATIVE FRED CAMILLO OF COS COB
On October 1st a number of laws passed by the state legislature became effective. It is important to remain informed on new Connecticut laws as many of them can directly affect your life or the lives of your loved ones.
Some of the new laws include:
• AN ACT REQUIRING THE ADMINISTRATION OF A SCREENING TEST FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS TO NEWBORN INFANTS- This act requires all health care institutions caring for newborn infants to test them for cystic fibrosis, unless, as allowed by law, their parents object on religious grounds. It requires the testing to be done as soon as is medically appropriate. Under the act, the cystic fibrosis test is in addition to, but separate from, the Public Health Department’s newborn screening program for genetic diseases and metabolic disorders. That program, in addition to the initial screening test, directs parents of identified infants to appropriate counseling and treatment.
• AN ACT CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT PROGRAMS-This act requires an individual, firm, or corporation that sells goods and services to the public to disclose eligibility requirements for any senior citizen discounts it offers by conspicuously placing a sign at the point of display, cash register, or store entrance stating the qualifying age and discount percentage or dollar amount.
• AN ACT PROHIBITING THE TRANSFER OF MACHINE GUNS TO MINORS- This act prohibits people from selling, giving, or transferring machine guns to anyone under age 16, including temporarily transferring them to such minors for use in target shooting, at a firing or shooting range, or for any other purpose. The prohibition applies notwithstanding the state law authorizing the transfer, possession, and acquisition of machine guns in accordance with the National Firearms Act (NFA) provided they are duly registered with the Department of Public Safety (DPS). A violation of the act carries a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of five to 10 years, or both. The same penalty applies, under existing law, to possessing or using a machine gun for an offensive or aggressive purpose.
• AN ACT ESTABLISHING A “MOVE OVER” LAW IN CONNECTICUT- This act requires a motorist approaching one or more stationary emergency vehicles located on the travel lane, breakdown lane, or shoulder of a highway with three or more travel lanes to (1) immediately slow to a reasonable speed below the posted speed limit and (2) if traveling in the lane adjacent to the location of the emergency vehicle, move over one lane, unless this would be unreasonable or unsafe. A violation of these requirements is an infraction, unless the violation results in the injury or death of the emergency vehicle operator, in which case the fines are a maximum of $2,500 and $10,000 respectively.
• AN ACT CONCERNING PATIENT SAFETY- This act permits only licensed or certified ambulance and rescue services to transport patients on stretchers in motor vehicles. The Public Health Department licenses commercial ambulance and rescue services and issues certificates to volunteer and municipal ambulance services. By law, anyone who willfully violates an emergency medical services law can be fined up to $250, imprisoned for up to three months, or both.
For a full list of laws effective October 1st please visit- http://cga.ct.gov/asp/Content/ActsEffective1009.asp
As always, if you have any questions or require further information please to not hesitate to contact me at (860) 240-8700 or send me an email Fred.Camillo@housegop.ct.gov.
Best Regards,
Fred Camillo
State Representative, Greenwich
www.RepFredCamillo.com