Civics

New and Interesting Laws that Took Effect Yesterday

Yesterday wasn't just about the fiscal cliff deal. Via Mediaite, the following laws took effect as of January 1, 2013.

Strip clubs in Illinois must now charge $3 at the door and even better, all the proceeds must go to charity. It's called a “skin” tax and all the proceeds will go to rape crisis centers.

In California, it's now legal for "driverless" cars to go on the road... a human must always be in the passenger seat of all computer-driven cars.

In Wellington, Kansas, a new law limits each household to no more than four cats. Want to adopt more homeless kitties? Too bad!

Concord, Massachusetts took a big environmental leap forward and outlawed plastic bottles today. Watch out with your Poland Spring at the gym: they're now considered contraband.

Although Illinois doesn't appear to be close to any major shark fishing outlets, there's good news for the Hammerheads and Great Whites: the state has banned the sale and trade of shark fins.