From sunscreen in schools to criminal justice reform laws, the start of August ushers in more than 200 new laws in Louisiana.
Statutes passed during the regular legislative session that ended in June, reports The Associated Press, hit the books on Tuesday.
Many provisions likely will draw little attention, but others affect traffic laws, criminal sentences, health care and school governance. Littering fines are changing, free parking is required for disabled veterans at airports and school bus drivers are now called bus operators in Louisiana law.
Students no longer need permission from a doctor or their school to use sunscreen on campus, on a school bus or at a school function. If a student can’t apply the sunblock, a school employee can do it, if a parent gives written consent.
And under a new “ban the box” law, Louisiana colleges and universities can ask about convictions for stalking, rape and sexual battery, but after granting admission they also can ask about convictions to decide if they’ll limit participation in campus programs, financial aid and housing.
And starting Tuesday, cities and towns that use cameras to catch speeders will have to post signs notifying drivers about the monitoring, or they won’t be able to use the images to ticket motorists.
