Legal News

2010: A Law Odyssey

By Nathan Koppel

As our mind starts to drift ahead to the multiple New Year's Eve bashes we plan to attend tonight (courtesy of our television), we pause to contemplate the law, circa 2010.

What sorts of legal regulations await us once we ring in the new year (from the comforts of our bed)?

The AP provides this account of some of the new state laws set to take effect in 2010. Texting while driving; smoking in public and cooking with trans fats, in short, are three prime areas that are due to become major no-no’s.

North Carolina ─ that haven of tobacco ─ will ban smoking in bars and restaurants. But the state has carved out exceptions for country clubs, Elks lodges and the like, AP reports.

Productivity is likely to plummet next year in New Hampshire, Oregon and Illinois, which are banning texting while driving. All told, 19 states have outlawed the practice. (Certainly, we imagine, such laws also cover emailing while driving, right?)

Tina Derby, 42, of Warner, N.H., told the AP that she said she has no intention to stop texting while driving, despite the possible fines she could receive. “I’d better start saving my money,” she said.

Those of you in the Golden State, meanwhile, better start storing up on trans fats immediately, because that artery-clogging delicacy will be mighty scarce next year.

Starting Friday, California's restaurants, bakeries and other retail food establishments will no longer be allowed to use products with trans fats in spreads or for frying. But restaurants, according to the AP, will still be allowed to use trans fats to deep-fry yeast dough and in cake batter until 2011. (Phew!)

Elsewhere, Arkansas will soon prohibit the sale of toy guns made to look real. That law stems from the shooting death of a 12-year-old in the state, who, according to police, was a holding a realistic looking toy gun.

LB Faithful, we wish you a health and happy 2010, and we hope these new laws don't unduly cramp your style.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on December 31, 2009 (boomark / email).