|
|
Share/Bookmark this Topic:
|
| Message |
Author |
by linkup
on Thu May 17, 2007 4:05 pm |
|
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/17/AR2007051701073.html
O'Malley Signs Statewide Smoking Ban
Thursday, May 17, 2007; 12:00 AM
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) signed a bill to ban smoking in restaurants and bars statewide today.
The law, which goes into effect next year, does allow bars to apply for an exemption, if they can prove their businesses suffer financial hardship from the ban. The measure does not exclude private social clubs like the American Legion.
Bonita Pennino, a lobbyist for the American Cancer Society said it's a momentous day for restaurant and bar workers, because they will be protected from second-hand smoke when the law takes effect.
The smoking ban is one of dozens of bills O'Malley to be signed today. Other measures, already signed today by O'Malley, toughen penalties on sex offenders and require paper receipts on voting equipment.
The measure that toughens penalties on sex offenders strengthens a statute known as "Jessica's Law," named for a Florida girl who was sexually abused and murdered by a convicted child sex offender.
The law eliminates parole for adult sex offenders convicted of first- and second-degree sexual assault against a child younger than 13.
Offenders convicted of a first-degree sex offense or first-degree rape will be sentenced to a minimum sentence of 25 years with no chance at parole.
For second-degree offenses, abusers will be sentenced to at least five years.
Among the other measures he will sign today, aides said, is a bill to take away driving privileges for repeat truants.
Note: Exemptions are limited an will not help bars survive more than two years. |
|
|
linkup
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
Joined: Oct 01, 2005
Posts: 1201
Location: Anywhere but here
|
| |
Back to top |
|
|
| |
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
|
