New Indiana Laws of Interest as of July 1st

As is usual in the the State of Indiana-like many other states, newly legislated laws; as well as, modifications and revisions to existing laws become effective and enforced on July 1st. 

Full access to all of Indiana’s laws/statutes can be found online at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2020/ic/; however a spreadsheet summary of all new Indiana 2020 laws can be downloaded by CLICKING HERE.

The Charlestown Police Department would like to point out a couple of these new laws that became effective this July 1st, 2020.  

One is regarding the sales and possession of Tobacco and Vaping products; whereas the minimum age of sale or possession of a tobacco or vaping product, including e-cigarettes, is now twenty-one (21) years. The minimum age was moved from eighteen to twenty-one by Indiana legislators; and is now in affect.

The second Indiana law modification of major interest is to the Distracted Driving statute; now further restricting the possession and use of a telecommunication device, by the driver of a motor vehicle. The new law, effective July 1, 2020, provides that a person may not hold or use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, unless it is used via hands free or voice-operated technology, or it is being used to call 911. Violation of this new law is a Class C infraction, including a fine like many other moving violations; however will not be a pointable offense on driving records until July 1, 2021.