Although most new laws go into effect on July 1, 2017, there are a few bills that have passed the legislature this year with immediate effective dates. The following new laws have recently been signed by the Governor and gone into effect:

1) PC 100 - Bail Forfeiture Requirements, Effective 4-4-17

-Requires evidence of incarceration instead of an affidavit of the jailer, warder, or officer of place of detention furnished the court to avoid forfeiture of any appearance or bail bond.

2) PC 124 - Preemption of Certain Criminal Offenses, Effective 4-12-17

-Specifies that state law preempts local government ordinances and resolutions with respect to the regulation of and appropriate sanctions for conduct involving drugs and other substances.

3) PC 131 - Removal of Requirement that Retired Judges Attend the Annual TJC Conference, Effective 4-17-17

-Exempts retired judges from the duty to attend annual meeting of the state judicial conference.

4) PC 145 - Interest on Child Support Arrearages, Effective 4-17-17

-Eliminates the accrual of interest on child support arrearages unless the court makes a written finding that interest shall continue to accrue. Requires the court to set the rate at which interest shall accrue after consideration of any factors the court deems relevant at no more than 4% per year in the case of such finding.

5) PC 149 - Participation in Recovery Court as a Hardship to Order Stay of Driver License Revocation, Effective 4-17-17 

-Permits a judge to consider a criminal defendant's participation in recovery court as a hardship sufficient to order the stay of a criminal defendant's driver license revocation for failing to pay fines, court costs, and litigation taxes.