Created: 9/29/2009 1:07:33 PM 
Raleigh, NC -- There are several new laws going into effect today. Here is the list:
No More Plastic Bottles In Landfills - In an effort to alleviate landfill capacity the N.C. General Assembly passed a bill in 2005 that would ban the disposal of plastic bottles in landfills effective October 1, 2009.
Currently, four out of every five plastic containers which equate to almost 288 million pounds are thrown away in North Carolina each year.
Ability To Freeze Your Credit - The new law allows you to place a security freeze on your credit report. That way, no one can access your credit information without your consent.
A password or pin number could unfreeze the the account. You'll be able do it online with the three major credit bureaus.
The new law also lets the register of deeds and clerks of court to remove social security number from documents on their websites.
Documentation Required For 'Work First' Participants - People who receive federal assistance through the state for the Work First program will now be required to show they have met program requirements before getting their funds.
The change only impacts families with a work-eligible adult in the payment. For more information, click here.
WIC Expands Food Choices - Some new foods like whole wheat and whole grain breads, brown rice, tofu, whole wheat and soft-corn tortillas, along with canned beans were chosen to offer more variety and meet more cultural preferences.
At the same time, the allowable amounts of some current WIC foods will change.
No More Novelty Lighters -- Beginning October First, it will be illegal to sell or give away novelty lighters in North Carolina. The lighters look like toys, characters, pens and other objects. Fire Investigators say children mistake them for toys and start fires.
Violating the law will cost you $500.
Foreclosure Hearing Delay -- The law could give more homeowners who are delinquent on their mortgages more time to keep their residences. Clerks of court now will have authority to postpone a foreclosure hearing for up to 60 days to allow a homeowner more time to work out a payment plan with the mortgage holder.
It's intended to help more homeowners in traditional mortgages at risk of losing their homes because they have lost their jobs and can't make the payments.
Other New Laws:
-- could slap musicians with penalties of up to $15,000 from concertgoers because if they use a musical group's name without the original group's permission. The "truth-in-music" advertising bill is designed to prevent musicians from marketing themselves as a well-known band even if no original group members appear.
-- prohibit the sale of foreign-made novelty lighters that are attractive to children because they can be shaped like cell phones, cartoon characters and toy rifles.
-- double, from six years to 12 years, the amount of time people can take to sue over a consumer product that allegedly injured them or their loved ones.
-- narrow the period in which scorned spouses can sue and collect damages for stolen affection and adultery.
-- allow beer tastings at retail stores and let breweries have tastings and sales at festivals, conventions and local fundraisers.
WFMY News 2
