Bail reform among new laws for 2020

Dozens of inmates across the state will be walking out of jail under the new bail reform law.

News 12 Staff

Jan 2, 2020, 12:26 PM

Updated 1,574 days ago

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With a new year comes new laws across the Hudson Valley.
Dozens of inmates across the state will be walking out of jail under the new bail reform law. It eliminates bail for misdemeanors and some felonies. That includes some degrees of assault, arson, rape, robbery and vehicular manslaughter. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bail reform bill as part of the 2019 budget.
Voter pre-registration law is in effect as well. The new law allows 16 and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote. It also requires local boards of education to adopt policies to promote student voter registration and pre-registrations.
The goal is to engage young voters and increase voter turnout.
Dozens of other states and cities are also rolling out new laws this year.
California's new Consumer Privacy Act will force companies to disclose what data they have collected on consumers. And if users want that data deleted, companies have to comply.
Recreational marijuana is now legal in Illinois. Anyone 21 and older can now buy and possess pot.
And finally, Tennessee is rolling out a new law that makes it easier for residents to receive a permit to carry a concealed handgun.


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