Neighbors,
I hope you're staying cool out there! If you're not, here are some tips to avoid the heat.
I wanted to give you a quick update on several new laws that are going to take effect on August 1st.
- States that have passed hands free while driving laws have already seen major decreases in traffic fatalities. This law will help keep us safe from distracted drivers - but make sure you know all there is to know - here's a helpful fact sheet from the Department of Public Safety.
- A bill brought to me by a constituent who had no legal recourse when a man grabbed her buttocks while she was holding her child was passed and will take effect August 1! The "buttocks bill" closes a legal loophole that excluded intentional grabbing of another person's buttocks from sexual harassment law.
- Our pharmacy benefit manager bill will bring transparency to prescription drug prices, which have skyrocketed in recent years. Pharmacy benefit managers are a powerful but little-known middle man that drive up prescription drug costs.
- There are employers in Minnesota who refuse to pay for overtime hours or skim money off the top of workers' paychecks, that's wage theft! Minnesotans deserve every dollar they've earned, and our bill to crack down on enforcement of wage theft will take effect at the beginning of the month.
Funding from our legacy bill is at work in New Brighton! Pamela Sukhum is an artist with The Beautiful Project, which is partly funded by the legislature. Community Partners with Youth kids had input in the design and show up daily to paint with Pamela!
Let me know if you have any questions on these new laws! We have a comprehensive list of policies that will go into effect on August 1st here.
Sincerely,
Mary KP |