New year, new laws

12/30/2005

New year, new laws
COMPILED BY RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER
Pioneer Press

Drivers with learning permits or provisional licenses, mostly those younger than 18, will no longer be allowed to talk on a cell phone while driving, except during emergencies. This will apply to about 400,000 drivers.

All-terrain vehicle enthusiasts who are at least 16 years old and born after July 1, 1987, will be required to take an off-road safety course from the Department of Natural Resources before riding on public land.

People who cook up methamphetamine will not only go to prison in 2006, they also might have to pay the government or private property owners for the cost of cleaning up the toxic waste their meth-making left behind.

Concerned your personal information has been exposed in a security breach? Starting in 2006, you will know when to really worry, because businesses will have to inform you quickly if they’ve learned your private information has been compromised.

People on state-subsidized health insurance will have fuller dental coverage in 2006, when a $500 cap on dental services for those on Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare and General Assistance medical care