5 Little known changes in N.C. law

by Matt Caulder, Capitol Connection, October 7, 2015.

Five state law changes that went into effect Oct. 1 may have a surprising effect on your life, such as…

Liquor sales straight from distiller

… changes to allow distilleries to sell one bottle of packaged liquor a year straight from the distillery to each person.

Until now distilleries were only able to sell their spirits to distributors, and the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) would be the only seller to the public of packaged liquor.

The distillers wanted the provision as a way to market samples of their products to consumers, especially people who visit the distilleries. Otherwise the system for deciding what liquors are offered in ABC stores rests with ABC itself.

Currently there are about 30 distilleries across the state producing everything from “Moonshine” to rum and whiskey.

State “move over” law expanded

Also new this month is an expansion to the state “move over” law that requires motorists to move over, or, if unable to move over, reduce speed when passing a stopped emergency vehicle alongside the road.

Now the law will be expanded to include any public service vehicle, including trash collection trucks.

The law now applies to any municipal vehicle with warning signal lights operating. when the vehicle is within 12 feet of the roadway.

Motorists are to move over before they get to the vehicle, or – if they are on a one-lane road, or if it is not safe to move over – drivers can slow down to a speed that allows them to stop quickly if need be, until they pass the stopped vehicle.

Minors banned from commercial tanning beds

Also new last week, the practice of artificial tanning for minors has been banned by the state, meaning no one under 18 can use commercial tanning beds anymore.

The bill, the Jim Fulghum Teen Skin Cancer Prevention Act, prevents anyone under 18 from using a commercial tanning, a change from a law allowing 13-year-olds and under from using a tanning bed with a written prescription.

72-hour abortion waiting period

Starting last Thursday, women wanting to get an abortion in the state began having to wait 72 hours, instead of 24 hours, to get an abortion under a new law.

The change requires a physician to give oral informed consent to the expectant mother and let her know about medical assistance programs, public assistance programs, that the father is financially liable for the care of the child, about the alternatives to abortion including adoption, and that she has the right to review the printed materials included in the required consent information.

Pistol purchase permits standardized

Changes made to the state pistol purchase permit system this session will require a sheriff to issue the permit within 45 days of receipt of the items needed to approve or deny a permit. Also, any mental health screening materials must be requested within 10 days of getting those materials.

This change was to make sure that permits are approved in a timely

http://nccapitolconnection.com/2015/10/07/5-little-known-changes-in-nc-law/