As with the ringing in of a new year, new state laws take effect. Laws that are sure to bring discussion, debate and challenges.
NORTH CAROLINA -- More criminals convicted of misdemeanors will be housed in county jails rather than in state prisons to save money and reduce repeat offenses.
-- Teenage drivers in North Carolina must write down how many hours they spent practicing before they can get a full license.
A state law taking effect Sunday requires them to turn in a log of their driving time before they can move up to the next level of the graduated licensing system. The law requires teenagers with a learner's permit to have signed logs showing they drove 60 hours with an adult driver. Novice drivers then will need 12 more hours over the next six months to qualify for a full license.
Parents or guardians will have to certify the driving logs.
North Carolina doesn't require anyone 18 or older getting a driver's license for the first time to go through the graduated license program.
-- State tax collector will have fewer powers to force corporations to redo their tax returns if they're suspected of dodging taxes.
Sampling of new laws that start Jan 1 in other states:
ALABAMA -- New restrictions govern who can testify as an expert witness in civil and criminal trials in a measure aiming to limit what critics call "junk science" theories of how or why a crime occurred.
CALIFORNIA-- Students to learn about the societal contributions of gays and lesbians.
DELAWARE -- Civil unions or domestic partnerships for same-sex couples are legalized, giving them the same state rights and obligations of those who are married but clarifying that marriage is between a man and a woman.
GEORGIA -- Any agency administering public benefits must require each applicant to provide at least one "secure and verifiable document."
-- Municipalities with 911 call centers can require retailers selling prepaid cellphones to charge a fee to support the emergency systems.
-- New safety requirements for cities that allow drivers to steer their golf carts off the green and onto roads and multi-use paths, including brakes, reverse warning devices and a horn.
ILLINOIS -- People convicted of first-degree murder must be added to a new public database, similar to the sex offender registry, when they're released from prison or any other facility. The database would include names, addresses, workplaces, schools attended and photos for offenders for up to 10 years after release.
-- Motorcyclists stopped at a red light may proceed through if it fails to change to green after a reasonable length of time.
-- Animal-control centers scanning a lost pet for a microchip also must look for other common forms of identification, including tattoos and ID tags.
NEVADA -- The state attorney general gains new subpoena powers to investigate open meeting law complaints, and members of public bodies who knowingly participate in violations are subject to civil penalties up to $500.
-- Music therapists and dietitians face new licensing requirements, while educators must now undergo a criminal background check when their licenses are renewed. Fire performers and apprentices must apply to the state fire marshal for certificate of registration.
-- A statewide emergency alert system is established for vulnerable elderly people, similar to the Amber Alert system for abducted children.
NEW HAMPSHIRE-- Girls seeking abortions must first tell their parents or a judge.
NORTH CAROLINA -- More criminals convicted of misdemeanors will be housed in county jails rather than in state prisons to save money and reduce repeat offenses.
-- State tax collector will have fewer powers to force corporations to redo their tax returns if they're suspected of dodging taxes.
-- Teenage drivers in North Carolina must write down how many hours they spent practicing before they can get a full license.
A state law taking effect Sunday requires them to turn in a log of their driving time before they can move up to the next level of the graduated licensing system. The law requires teenagers with a learner's permit to have signed logs showing they drove 60 hours with an adult driver. Novice drivers then will need 12 more hours over the next six months to qualify for a full license.
Parents or guardians will have to certify the driving logs.
North Carolina doesn't require anyone 18 or older getting a driver's license for the first time to go through the graduated license program.
TENNESSEE -- Penalties increasing for raping a child, creating a minimum sentence of 25 years but allowing judges to increase the time when appropriate, up to 60 years for the worst cases.
-- Penalties also increase for people who fire a weapon into an occupied home, a measure that seeks to curtail drive-by shootings.
-- Voters must show photo ID.
UTAH -- New laws make any daily drink specials illegal, essentially banning happy hour.