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New Minnesota Laws Go Into Effect With New Year

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- With the arrival of a new year comes the start of a number of new Minnesota laws. Here is a rundown of some of the most notable ones.

One of the biggest law changes in 2015 means new training requirements for young drivers. The state legislature passed what's called the "New Graduated Driver Licensing Law" in 2014.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teens are reportedly more likely than older drivers to underestimate dangerous situations.

This law goes a step further to help keep young people safe behind the wheel.

The new law requires students under the age of 18 to submit a driving log at the time of their road test for the provisional driver's license.

Students must complete 50 supervised hours of driving time, with at least 15 of those hours coming at night.

Acceptable supervisors include parents, grandparents, or siblings who spend most of the time with the young driver during the instruction permit period.

Parents also have the option, but it's not required, to complete a parent driving class. This aims to teach parents how to show their children to become responsible and safe drivers. If they take the course, the number of supervised driving hours their child must complete is cut back.

Among the other new laws going into effect:

  • The state is adding an advanced practice registered nursing program. This will allow experienced nurses to treat patients without constantly being required to have a doctor sign off on their decisions.
  • Following the death of a boy on a Minnesota lake, a new law will require all lifeguards at public beaches to be trained to perform CPR and first aid, a requirement that previously applied only to pool lifeguards.
  • It will now be easier for people to get misdemeanors and low-level felonies expunged from their record.
  • Female members of the military can now get special license plates so they will be easier to spot. The plates will cost $10.
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