Pubdate: Mon, 02 Jan 2006 Source: Daily Republican Register (IL) Copyright: 2006 Daily Republican Register Contact: http://www.tristate-media.com/mtcarmelregister/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3577 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) RIGHTER: NEW LAWS FOR 2006 TARGET METH-MAKING, BETTER CONSUMER PROTECTIONS SPRINGFIELD - Cracking down on the illegal manufacture of the dangerous street drug methamphetamine, better protecting consumers from the devastating financial effects of identity theft, and strengthening registration laws for convicted sex offenders are among the hundreds of new laws that take effect in January, according to State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon). Senate Bill 273 limits the purchase of cold medicines containing the powder form of pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient used to make methamphetamine, and requires individuals to show identification and sign a log when purchasing these medicines. Senate Bill 273 further prohibits anyone younger than 18 from buying medicines that contain pseudoephedrine. The new Illinois law is based on a similar law in Oklahoma. Righter says only two months after pseudoephedrine controls were enacted in Oklahoma, the number of methamphetamine laboratories in that state dropped by 50 percent, and by 80 percent eight months later. Other states - including Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa and Kentucky - have had similar results. The new law takes effect Jan. 15. Other meth-related laws take effect Jan. 1. House Bill 3507 provides that methamphetamine restitution be made to cover costs incurred by local law enforcement agencies and public agencies in securing a methamphetamine site. House Bill 3504 provides for an additional $100 fine if a person is found guilty of a meth-related offense. Several new laws taking effect Jan. 1 seek to protect consumers from identity theft and make it easier to prosecute those who steal personal information. Senate Bill 445 prohibits state universities and community colleges from printing an individual's Social Security number on any document that is required to access services. House Bill 1565 makes it illegal to use hardware or software that can decipher encrypted information from bar codes on driver's licenses or identification cards. House Bill 457 eliminates the statute of limitations for prosecuting identity theft. House Bill 2700 allows people on trial for identity theft to be tried in any county where the offense occurred or the victim resides. House Bill 1058 allows a victim of identity theft to place a security freeze on his/her credit report. Other bills that become law January 1 include: E Drug-induced homicide (HB 1109/P.A. 94-0560) - Provides that a person who unlawfully delivers a controlled substance and causes another person's death as a result of the use of the drug commits the offense of drug-induced homicide. E DUI (SB 1495/P.A. 94-0609 and HB 1081/P.A. 94-0113) - Imposes prison sentences on DUI offenders if the DUI violation was the cause of the death of one or more persons, unless the court determines that extraordinary circumstances exist and require probation. (HB 1471/P.A. 94-0329) - Provides that a person who drives while under the influence is guilty of aggravated DUI if they have no valid driver's license or were not covered by liability insurance. (HB 657/P.A. 94-0110) - Increases the penalties for DUI while transporting a child. (HB 3816/P.A. 94-0116) - Increases penalties for people found guilty of DUI three or more times. (HB 1351/P.A. 94-0115) - Subjects to chemical testing any person arrested for leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injury. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin