New state laws now in effect as of July 1
Published 10:59 am Monday, July 8, 2013
Starting on July 1, when the state’s new fiscal year started, a bevy of new laws went into effect.
• It is OK now for some cellphone use. Drivers in Washington can now use their smartphones to show they have insurance if they are pulled over. The state Legislature added electronic proof of driver’s insurance to the list accepted by police officers.
• No sharing. Lawmakers also banned employers from asking for social media passwords at work or during job interviews. It also stops employers from asking workers to be friends with managers on Facebook to make a profile viewable.
• Tasting must be licensed at farmers markets throughout the state. Along with buying tomatoes, organizations must now meet requirements to offer wine and beer tastings.
• A glass of wine with your popcorn. The state approved making a pilot program permanent, and movie theaters with less than 120 seats per screen can get a liquor license. State lawmakers also made a rule that grocery stores with self-checkout machines will have someone check shoppers identification when purchasing alcohol.
• Also, good to know — marijuana of an ounce or less that is dropped or left at a retail store or pharmacy will be handed over to law enforcement for destruction.
During the recent session, state lawmakers passed more than 330 bills.
