Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
More than 200 new state laws take effect today, following the 2003 legislative initatives. Many are related to consumer and personal protection, including a law prohibiting unsolicited commerical e-mail messages, known as "spam."
Public Law 36 also requires senders of unsolicited e-mails to include a code in the subject line as an advertisement (ADV) or (ADV:DLT) if it is adult-oriented.
Senders are to honor removal requests. If the recipient's request to be removed is not honored, legal action with penalties of up to $500 per offense may be pursued.
P.L. 36 is part of a national law against "spam," with 30 other states enacting similar legislation.
The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Directory was strengthened with the passage of P.L. 222. Starting this year, sheriff's departments in all 92 Indiana counties are to maintain Web sites with information about sex offenders who live in each county.
The Web sites are to be updated at least every seven days (PL 154).
Registration is now mandatory and lifelong for people convicted of rape, criminal deviant conduct, child molesting or exploitation, vicarious sexual gratification, child solicitation or seduction, sexual misconduct with a minor, incest, sexual battery and kidnapping or criminal confinement of a person younger than 18 years of age.
PL 154 makes it a Class D felony for an offender to fail to re-register when that person moves to a new address. If found guilty of the crime, a person could receive up to a year and a half in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
A series of initiatives (PLs 221, 198, 195 and 181) are aimed at protecting and supporting victims of domestic violence.
Victims of domestic violence may receive unemployment insurance benefits and may receive protective orders in a timely fashion. Counties may now establish teams to investigate homicides and suicides that may be the result of domestic violence. A state commission to review the quality of resources for abused and neglected children and their families also may be formed.
Firearms may no longer be owned by a person guilty of a crime of domestic violence.
Today begins the first phase of an increase in unemployment insurance benefits. The weekly benefit rises from $336 to $349, to $369 July 1, 2004, then to $390 July 1, 2005 (P.L. 273).
Motorists who fail to insure their vehicles will now be charged with a Class C misdemeanor, which carries penalties of up to 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500 (P.L. 157). Judges also may suspend drivers' licenses for up to one year.
Direct deposit for child support is now possible (P.L. 15).
Commissions for Native Americans, minorities and women's business enterprises and to study transportation in northwest Indiana were formed.
State legislators also approved new laws regarding water quality, solid waste districts and environmental rules (P.L. 231); conservancy districts (P.L. 228); lake and river enhancement (P.L. 233); and sewer lines (P.L. 174).
Sellers of cigarettes through direct mail or the Internet must charge the state cigarette tax (P.L.s 252 and 253) and must ensure that cigarette buyers are 18 years old or older.
