SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers completed the state’s 100th General Assembly in its bicentennial year, and will ring in 2019 with 253 new laws on the books .
The youngest children in cars will be required to ride in rear-facing seats, blaze pink will be acceptable for hunters’ wardrobes, opioid abuse and school safety take center stage and a Route 66 centennial planning commission will convene.
Here is a complete list of news laws taking effect January 1, 2019
Here’s quick rundown of the most significant law changes:
CHILD RESTRAINT AND TRAFFIC SAFETY
Children younger than two must ride in rear-facing child-restraint seats in automobiles. Children taller than 40 inches or weighing more than 40 pounds are exempt.
The first offense carries a $75 fine at the discretion of local authorities.
FIREARMS
A 72-hour waiting period for purchases of firearms takes effect after a year of scuffling over gun restrictions.
Another law will allow family members or police to petition courts to take guns away from people who pose a danger to themselves or others. A judge may issue the order without notice but a hearing must be conducted within 14 days.
OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Those with licenses to prescribe opioids must complete three hours of continuing education on safe opioid-use practices before renewing their prescription licenses.
Another law bars insurance and managed-care companies from requiring prior notification for specified in- or outpatient substance-abuse treatment in order to get those with drug-use disorders the help they need quickly.
MILITARY VETERANS
Veterans and active duty military service members who are believed to have physical or mental health problems may now be considered “high risk” if they go missing.
HUNTERS
Blaze pink joins blaze orange as acceptable hunting apparel to ensure that sportsmen and -women are seen by other hunters.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Every school in Illinois must conduct at least one active-shooter safety drill administered by local police annually.
Carnival operators must conduct criminal background checks on every ride operator they employ.
Stalking laws will expand to include unwanted messages sent through social media apps. And the law allows businesses, churches and other places of worship, and schools to seek restraining orders against stalkers.
RIGHTS AT WORK, ELSEWHERE
If the boss requires you to use your personal phone or computer for work, the boss must have a reimbursement policy.
___
Illinois General Assembly: www.ilga.gov