Domestic violence "cooling off" Law Becomes Effective July 1

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - A number of new laws approved by the 2008 General Assembly will become effective on July 1. State Senator Sue Errington (D-Muncie) believes one such law could save lives through a state-mandated “cooling off” period for domestic violence.

The new law requires that individuals arrested for a crime of domestic violence be held in custody for a minimum of eight hours. Errington, a coauthor of Public Law 44 (Senate Enrolled Act 27), said the additional time will provide victims with an opportunity to seek needed services.

“Providing at least eight hours gives the perpetrator time to cool off and allows the victim to seek alternative housing or other needed services,” Errington said. “Several communities have already implemented this practice on their own, and we hope that this new law will help stop the cycle of violence for any Hoosier family in crisis.”

Other new laws that will become effective on July 1:

Automatic payment of property taxes: Public Law 118 (Senate Enrolled Act 208) allows counties to provide homeowners with the option of paying property taxes through an automatic deduction from a checking account or any other method of installment payment.

Workplace lactation: Public Law 13 (Senate Enrolled Act 219) requires businesses with 25 or more employees to make a reasonable effort to provide a private place for an employee to express breast milk for her child and to provide some form of refrigeration to store the milk.

Smoke detectors in rental homes: Public Law 17 (Senate Enrolled Act 26) makes it a Class B infraction for a landlord’s failure to properly install a smoke detector at the time a tenant moves into a unit or to repair an inoperative hard-wired smoke detector within seven days of receiving notice of the need for repair.

Pull tab gaming in bars: Public Law 95 (House Enrolled Act 1153) will allow Indiana bars and taverns to conduct small-stakes gaming, including the sale of pull tabs, punchboards, and tip boards beginning July 1. Establishments will be required to obtain licenses from the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission before making the games available to patrons.

For more information on Senator Errington, her legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.in.gov.

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