New law: Businesses can request inspection for zebra mussels

The following is a list of selected new laws passed during the 2012 legislative session that take effect July 1.

Business and Commerce: Travel insurance does not include major medical plans, which provide comprehensive medical protection for travelers with trips lasting six months or longer, including those working overseas as an expatriate or military personnel being deployed.

Education: Schools will no longer need Department of Education approval to purchase lunchroom equipment with surplus funds from their food service fund.

Environment: To fight the spread of aquatic invasive species and improve water management, businesses may contact state agencies and request an advisory inspection. If an inspector identifies violations, the business can avoid penalties as long as they’re corrected within 60 days. The exemption from penalties does not apply to conduct involving fraud and various other circumstances.

Sponsored by Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria), the law increases civil penalties for transporting certain aquatic invasive species and doubles the fines for repeat offenders. Conservation officers will have authority to order watercraft and other equipment to be removed from waters when necessary.

The state’s ban on placing watercraft with invasive species attached into public waters is expanded to include all water-related equipment.

Health and Human Services: A new law authorizes community paramedics to now be reimbursed for services covered under Medical Assistance effective July 1, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

Military and Veteran Affairs: Honor guards are paid up to $50 each time they provide services at the funeral of a military veteran. Effective July 1, the veterans affairs commissioner cannot prioritize these payments based on whether the honor guard units are sponsored by organizations that have charitable gambling operations.

Public Safety: In custody orders in a divorce agreement, each party must “notify the other party if the minor child is the victim of an alleged crime and shall provide the name of the investigating law enforcement officer.” Law enforcement must immediately notify a local welfare agency if the child is a victim of neglect, physical abuse or sexual abuse outside the family.

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Summaries of all laws passed by the 2012 Legislature are available online for nonpartisan House Public Information Services at www.house.

leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/newlaws2012-0.asp.

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