According to new Facebook password laws in California and Illinois, employers will no longer be able to ask for workers or applicants to give them their passwords to their social media accounts. This is just one of many state laws that will be taking effect in 2013.
According to Reuters, over 400 state measures were proposed and passed in 2012 and will take place as the New Year rolls in. Many of the laws will go into effect as soon as the clock strikes midnight, but others will go into effect later in 2013.
According to California's and Illinois' new Facebook password law, it will be illegal for bosses to request passwords for Facebook and other social media accounts from current employees or job applicants.
A similar measure took effect earlier this year in Michigan. Governor Rick Snyder signed the measure into law and it took effect immediately in the state. The state also has a law that punishes educational institutions for dismissing or not admitting a student if they don't provide their passwords.
However employees and job seekers will still have to take caution when it comes to posting things on their social media accounts. In all three states, employers can still use social network information that is publicly available. So unless you set high privacy settings, your inappropriate photos and status' may still be visible and can be used against you.
In addition to the Facebook password law, laws relating to bullying, gun control, healthcare, gay marriage laws, environmental laws and others will be going into effect this upcoming year.
For instance, in Oregon, teachers will have to report student bullies. A partial abortion ban will go into effect in New Hampshire, same-sex marriage will be legalized in Maryland and private insurers must cover children with autism in Alaska.
With gun control being such a hot topic after the Sandy Hook shootings, some might want to pay attention to the new gun control laws. In Michigan, the definition of a pistol will change. A pistol was considered to be a weapon measuring 30 inches in length. Now it will be under 26 inches. Los Angeles will now have more restrictive laws to regulate the production of toy guns that look like real weapons.
In Illinois, those who participate in military re-enactments will be able to use things such as paintball guns and will be exempt from some weapon laws.
Some other interesting laws include:
In Illinois, sex offenders will be prohibited from distributing candy on Halloween, or playing Santa or the Easter Bunny.
Also in Illinois, those under 21 who are participating in culinary programs can consume alcohol.
In California, prison workers and peace officers are prohibited from having sex with someone who is confined to a correctional facility, including prisoners who are being transported to jail.
Also in California, it's unlawful to let a dog pursue a bear or bobcat at any time.
To see the rest of the laws released by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Click Here.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
