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New laws now in play
Virginians are now free to drink sangria and dessert wine in restaurants, but they can no longer use the Department of Motor Vehicles driving test as a substitute for behind-the-wheel driving classes.Here is a small sampling of the dozens of new state laws that went into effect Tuesday, from alcohol to zoning.
Alcohol
Restaurants with mixed beverage licenses may now sell sangria and other beverages that mix liquor with wine or beer.
Restaurants with limited mixed beverage licenses may sell dessert wine.
Animal fighting
The fighting of any animals, except dogs, is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Dog fighting is a felony. Officers investigating animal fighting allegations may now conduct searches at night.
Driving
Anyone who fails the DMV drivers test three times must attend driving school before attempting to take the test again.
Anyone under 21 who is convicted of drinking and driving loses his or her license for a year and has to pay a $500 fine or perform 50 hours of community service.
The penalty for second and subsequent violations of the child restraint law is now up to $500.
Mental health
The standard for involuntarily committing someone to mental health treatment is lower. The person must have a significant risk of harming himself or others.
Anyone who has been declared to be mentally incompetent or who has been involuntarily committed to psychiatric treatment is prohibited from purchasing a gun.
Miscellaneous
Anyone who knowingly buys or receives stolen goods is also culpable for the theft.
Anyone who is fired from a job for failing a drug test is ineligible for unemployment compensation.
The term “mentally retarded” has been replaced with “intellectually disabled” in state code.
Sex offenses
Legislators removed a loophole in state law that allowed men to escape prosecution by marrying girls 14 and older whom they were accused of attacking.
Sex offenders who are prohibited from having contact with children may not go within 100 feet of a playground, athletic field/facility or gymnasium. Violation is a Class 6 felony.
It is a Class 1 misdemeanor for someone 18 or older to tongue kiss a child 13 or younger. Anyone found guilty must register as a sex offender.
Zoning
Localities may carry over zoning violations when a property is sold, an effort to prevent illegal boardinghouses from re-emerging.
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