The arrival of August means that a number of new laws will be taking effect in the State of Minnesota, including two I was proud to sponsor during this past session.
The first creates a Military Spouses and Families Day in our state. This new law designates the Sunday before Memorial Day with this title, allowing us to honor the vital support and sacrifice that the spouses of families and military personnel make for the betterment and support of this country.
While not an official holiday, the governor will now issue a proclamation each year honoring this observance. Minnesota is now the second state that recognizes those families who are making tremendous sacrifices as their loved ones fight for our country's interests.
Our new Prenatal Trisomy Diagnosis Awareness Act law is designed to give educational information to an expectant mother whose baby is diagnosed with a trisomy condition such as Down's syndrome. This includes current, evidence-based information which has been reviewed by medical experts and national trisomy organizations. The law also requires doctors to share nonprofit support group contact information with their patients.
Other new laws include a number of positive 2nd Amendment rights provisions, such as limiting the authority of a public official to seize or regulate weapons during a state of emergency, and clarifying that long guns can be purchased and sold to persons in other states.
Finally, if you continue to text while driving, maybe this new law will entice you to stop – the fine is now set to increase to $225 for your second and subsequent texting while driving convictions.
As always, I am interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Kathy.Lohmer@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-4244. You can also send mail to my office address: 501 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.