Crisco lauds new laws

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Joseph Crisco
Joseph Crisco

HARTFORD — State Sen. Joseph Crisco, Jr. (D-17) praised a handful of laws that will become effective Oct. 1 for their potential to improve safety on Connecticut’s roads and for consumers.

Dozens of state laws have an Oct. 1 effective date, but the measures to further restrict distracted driving, safeguard highway workers and protect customers of tattoo parlors and indoor tanning facilities demonstrate the legislature’s responsiveness to these pressing issues, Crisco said in a press release.

“One new law fortifies consequences for driving while talking on a cell phone, texting or engaged in other forms of distracted driving, increasing fines for first, second and third offenses in an effort to protect all those on Connecticut roads,” Crisco said. “Likewise, another new law strengthens penalties for violations within designated highway work zones in a concerted effort to protect those who are making repairs and improvements to our roads.”

The new sequence of fines for distracted driving is $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense and $500 for each additional violation, according to the release.

New laws will also require state licensing and annual, local inspections of tattoo parlors to ensure safe and sanitary conditions and prohibit indoor tanning facilities from accepting anyone under 17 years old to use a tanning bed again.

“Body art seems to be very popular, particularly among young people in our state, and the legislature wants to protect them from inattentive tattoo artists,” Crisco said.

Crisco said in the release some new tanning beds can alter a person’s skin tone in as little as 10 minutes.

“So we simply want customers and users of these strong machines to be at least 17 years old before doing so,” he said.