The Public Information Services Department of the Minnesota Legislature released this notice of new laws taking effect July 1, 2010. Some of the laws are summarized below. For a complete list of laws passed this session, see the House website.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Day
A new law designates May 28 as Veterans of Foreign Wars Day in Minnesota. The law recognizes May 28 because it is the same day the Veterans of Foreign Wars was founded in 1899. There are many others laws in favor of the veterans, and you can see it here all on one website.
DUI Evidence:
Action seen or heard on a tape should be able to speak for itself. But that is not always the case in some Minnesota courts. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-St. Louis Park) and Sen. Leo Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids), a new law will clarify that a pretrial filing of a written transcript from an audiotape or videotape in a law enforcement vehicle is not a prerequisite for admission of that recording evidence in a DWI criminal trial or license revocation hearing. Simon said some courts have been reading into the law a requirement that is not there.
In an effort to expedite the process for police and the courts, a new law will allow medical personnel trained in a licensed hospital or educational institution to withdraw blood to determine the presence of alcohol, controlled substances or hazardous substances. The current DWI statute limits who can draw blood for implied consent to a physician, medical technician, emergency medical technician-paramedic, registered nurse, medical technologist, medical laboratory technician, phlebotomist or laboratory assistant. Supporters want it made clear that anybody who is qualified to take blood for DWI samples can do so.
Body art licensure
A new law sets licensing standards for tattoo artists and body piercers, as well as body art establishments. It also specifies health and safety rules for sites, equipment and procedures, including requiring the use of single-use needles and ink. The law sets grounds for granting temporary licensure, denying licensure and conducting an emergency closure of an establishment. In a change from current law, no tattoos may be provided to people under age 18, regardless of parental consent. Most piercings are allowed. Body art technicians and the places where they work will need to be licensed by the Department of Health beginning Jan. 1, 2011.
Data practices complaint process
When a citizen files a data practices complaint against a state agency, it often takes months or years to resolve. A new law aims to speed up the process.