New laws now in effect

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A number of new laws go into effect Wednesday. The impact is expected to be widespread, from smokers to teen drivers.

About 180 new laws were passed this past session. About a dozen go into effect today. They are as follows:

• The Puppy Mill Law: The law allows commercial dog breeders to register with the state and toughens penalties for animal abuse of neglect.
• The Safe Cigarette Law: Requires all smokers in Indiana to purchase fire safe cigarettes.
• The School Bus Driver Law: The law imposes a $500 dollar fine if school bus drivers don't check for students still on the bus at the end of each route.
• The Teen Driver Law: Bans drivers under the age of 18 to use their cell phone while driving except when calling 911. The new law also prohibits teen drivers from driving at night between the times of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

We talked to some Hoosiers about what they think about the teen texting while driving law. "I agree; I can't text when I'm driving so I don't think that new drivers should be able to text or use the cell phone when they're driving, it's dangerous, I see people texting all the time and I think it's dangerous," said Brittany Smith of Indianapolis.

"I don't think it should be just for kids, I think if they're going to put in effect it should be for everybody," said Zach Adda of Indianapolis.

"I guess I was most frustrated that you can't use a speaker phone feature or a head set to use the phone because I do understand that making calls
while driving can be dangerous, but if you have the ability to use that speaker phone it seems a little bit safer," said Kyle Schroeder of Indianapolis.

Teens caught violating these law will be fined $500.

Another law going into effect will allow judges to give a GPS type device to perpetrators of an order of protection, so victims can track them.