Alcohol to Immigration, 30 new Tennessee laws take effect Jan. 1

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Tennessee State Capitol

NASHVILLE — When the Nashville Music note drops at midnight, January 1, a myriad of new laws will go into effect in the Volunteer State. Thirty-one new laws are on the books ranging from changes to election law, alcohol sales and when motor vehicle accidents have to be reported to state authorities, to abortion and immigration laws.

Education

One of the new laws says Tennessee’s local boards of education will need to develop a program to reduce potential lead contamination in drinking water.

Opioid-related laws

Another requires places that prescribe or handle opioids to add signs asking people to call a hotline if they suspect abuse.

Abortion

Another if an ultrasound is performed before an abortion, the woman must be given the opportunity to learn the results. Also, doctors will record whether or not the fetus had a heartbeat.

Immigration

Another law will ban local governments from having “sanctuary” policies for people living in the country illegally. It prohibits local government policies that restrict compliance with federal immigration detainers. The law threatens to withhold future state economic development money from those that don’t comply.

Alcohol sales

Starting January 6, grocery stores can sell wine between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. The privately owned liquor stores have been able to sell alcohol on Sundays since the bill was passed in the Spring.

A list of these new laws can be seen at http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Archives/Joint/publications/01-01-2019_effective.pdf

Tennessee State Capitol