New TN Laws going into effect Jan. 1

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee will have 16 new laws going into place on January 1, 2018.

Each year new laws in Tennessee are implemented at the beginning of both, July and January. Oftentimes, residents hardly notice or understand any changes taking place, but a few laws going into effect in 2018 may even impact your day to day life.

Here’s a handful you may actually notice:

School Transportation Supervisor Program – establishes a program for the monitoring and oversight of  local school transportation services 

• This bill requires school bus drivers to complete a training program before they are eligible to transport students. It also requires drivers to be at least 25 years old before receiving an initial school bus driver license endorsement.

Cell Phones in School Zones – adding to the preexisting law prohibiting texting in school zones

• This bill makes it illegal to talk on mobile devices when driving through a school zone while warning lights are flashing. Drivers could face a punishable fine of up to $50.

Handgun Permits – creates an exemption to a portion of the required handgun carry permit training 

• This bill states that any applicant that can provide proof of successfully passing the small arms training or combat pistol training while serving in the United States Armed Forces is now exempted from the firing-range portion of the training required to get a handgun carry permit.

Marijuana Jurisdiction – Alcoholic Beverage Commission will no longer monitor or regulate marijuana

• This bill removes the Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s jurisdiction over enforcement of criminal offense involving marijuana.

Vehicle Headlights – amends a current bill that only prohibited steady colored headlights on vehicles

• This bill makes it illegal for any vehicle to have colored lights, with the exception of emergency vehicles, school buses, mail carriers and law enforcement. All state vehicles are required to have white or amber headlights, whether they are steady or flashing.

Barber Services – allows barbers perform services in a resident’s home

• This bill allows barbers to now make house calls for anyone, regardless of the person’s health. An additional residential barber certificate will be required to perform such services. Previously, barbers could only come to a person’s house to cut their hair if they were ill.

Disabled Persons – provides paid person aid to those with disabilities

• This bill allows a person with disability, or the caregiver of a person with a disability, the ability to hire a paid personal aide to perform health maintenance tasks.

Prescription Drug Donation – establishes a prescription drug donation repository program

• This bill authorizes The Board of Pharmacy to create a voluntary prescription drug donation program, allowing people to donate prescription drugs and supplies. The drugs must be in their original sealed, tamper-evident packaging and must be inspected before they are dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.

Campus Free-Speech – recognizes students’ right to free speech 

• This bill states that as long as they don’t violate the First Amendment, students have the right to free speech, and institutions of higher education must give students the freedom to speak, write, listen, challenge, learn and discuss any issue.

Alarm Systems – allows a homeowner to cancel an alarm services contract 

• This bill states that a homeowner having to sell property for medical reasons may cancel a contract for alarm services that is longer than two years, only if the homeowner provides a 30 days notice to the alarm system contractor.

To read more on what is expected on January 1st: New Tennessee Laws 2018 – Effective January 1st