ATLANTA – New state laws around the country are addressing a range of hot topics, including campus sexual assault, reporting by law enforcement agencies, paid sick leave and the sharing economy.
Among the highest profile laws taking effect Wednesday is a religious freedom bill in Indiana that sparked protests and boycott threats earlier this year before being quickly revised.
The Indiana law takes effect just days after a historic U.S. Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage. That ruling renewed calls by some conservatives for laws to protect people and business owners who object to gay marriage on religious grounds.
Lawmakers also took a break from weightier issues to protect bingo games for senior citizens in Minnesota, add a state motto in Latin in Vermont and name an official state amphibian in Idaho.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
