Laws covering texting, tanning beds, trans fat take effect in 2010 [View All]

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(CNN) -- Legislatures in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico met in 2009, leading to the enactment of 40,697 laws, many of which take effect January 1.

The new laws cover a variety of areas, from texting and tanning beds to human trafficking and seat-belt safety.

New Hampshire, Oregon and Illinois join 16 other states that prohibit motorists from sending text messages while driving.

Gloria Wilhelm fought for the Illinois law after her son, Matt, was struck and killed while he was riding his bike by a driver who was downloading cell phone ring tones.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/01/new.laws/index.html

The CNN article also has a slideshow explaining new state laws around the nation that cover health, safety, animals, and crime. Quite a bit of comments following the article complain about these laws being nanny state status.