2009 Brings Some New Laws to Georgia and S.C.

By Sheila Parker

Published: January 1, 2009

One of the laws gaining the most attention comes from South Carolina and involves tougher penalties for repeat drunk driving convictions. It mandates ignition locks to be installed on the steering wheel of the repeat offender’s car at his or her own expense. The driver would have to breathe into the device and if a blood alcohol level of point-o-2 or higher is detected - the car will not start.
The amount of time the driver will have to use the device will vary based on their number of drunk driving convictions - two years for a second offense - three for a third and life for four or more.

Another South Carolina law taking affect today involves the collection of DNA samples from people arrested on felony charges before conviction. However - the implementation of the new law depends on funding which currently isn’t budgeted.

And finally in South Carolina - an anti-illegal immigration measure requiring businesses to verify new hires are in the country legally. The law is being phased in - beginning with businesses of more than 500 people with public contracts involving manual labor.

In Georgia - a new law in effect today deals with the safety of school buses crossing railroad tracks on their route. Local school districts are now required to provide the department of transportation with information on rail crossings without active warning devices that are crossed by school buses. School districts are also required to make their best effort to reroute buses to minimize the use of such rail crossings.

Another law gaining a lot of attention involves registered sex offenders. They are now required to hand over their internet passwords and screen names to authorities. In doing this - the state is going further than a federal law which merely requires authorities to track internet addresses.

Foreigners temporarily in the U.S. are getting a break. They will now be able to keep their home country’s driver’s license rather than give it up when they obtain a Georgia license. The law is intended to cut down on bureaucracy and paperwork.

And, health insurers are getting tax breaks for signing up more Georgians to health plans with high deductibles and associated health savings accounts. Proponents say the move will create more competition and force prices on the plans lower - critics say the plan only benefits the insurance companies.