Monday, January 2, 2012

New state laws target DUI, voter photo IDs

Tennessean
Jan 1, 2011

• Testing for blood alcohol content will be required in cases in which the driver has previously been convicted of a DUI or when there is a child present in the vehicle.

• Voters will have to present valid photo identification at the polls.

• Election officials must accept the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot as a backup measure for overseas military personnel who have not received their official ballots in time to participate in elections.

• Pharmacies must use the National Precursor Log Exchange to monitor purchases of medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, a precursor to meth.

• The Department of Health must establish rules to govern the operation of clinics that dispense pain medications.

• The punishment for rape of a child has been clarified to be up to 60 years in the most egregious circumstances.

• Employers with more than 500 workers face penalties if they do not check the immigration status of new hires through the federal E-Verify system.

• Insurance policies must cover up to $1,000 per ear for the purchase of hearing aids every three years for children.

• Medical practitioners must wear photo badges showing their full name and licensure type.

• The penalty for firing a weapon into a residence is set at a Class C felony if the home is occupied and a Class D felony if no one is home.