No teen cell phone use while driving

Drivers under the age of 18 will be prohibited from talking on a handheld or hands-free cell phone while driving, except in emergencies after the New Year rings in.

Meth users to pay for cleanup costs

Those convicted of manufacturing, or attempting to manufacture, methamphetamine may be required to pay the cost incurred by law enforcement who respond to their criminal offense.

Identity theft notification

Companies need to let Minnesota residents know if there has been a security breach putting their personal data at risk. If a business discovers that personal information - such as a person's driver's license, credit card number or Social Security number - has been potentially stolen, that business must notify those individuals immediately. If the breach affects more than 500 people at one time, all consumer reporting agencies would be notified within 48 hours of the discovery.

Medicare drug coverage

Minnesota law now conforms to recent changes in federal law concerning Medicare prescription drug coverage, also known as Medicare Part D. A new law makes technical changes in state law involving Medicare supplemental insurance and creates a procedure for licensing and solvency regulation of stand-alone prescription drug plans that could provide prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D.

Cribs at day care to be inspected

Day care providers will have to maintain documentation and perform safety inspections on their cribs. The legislation is designed to prevent the injury and possible death of infants in unsafe baby cribs.

New ATV laws

People age 16 and older must complete an all-terrain vehicle study course from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before using an ATV on public property.

For more details about all of the new laws, visit www.house.mn/hinfo/newlaws/newlawsmain.asp. As always I welcome your comments or suggestions. Please contact me through my St. Paul office at 1-651-296-2451 or e-mail me at rep.larry.howes@house.mn.

Howes (R-Walker) represents District 4B in the Minnesota House of Representatives.