New Minnesota laws that took effect today

--Farmland conservation: More farmers can participate in a conservation program that returns portions of unused farmland to native vegetation and restored wetlands.

--Money Transmitters: Businesses other than banks that sell or issue money transfers need to be licensed.

--Halal food restrictions: It is illegal to falsely represent food as prepared according to Islamic law, called Halal. Halal is an Islamic word that means "lawful or legal" and Islamic law requires Muslims to treat animals intended for food use humanely.

--Motor vehicle information: The Department of Public Safety can release accident records to companies that collect accident and damage information on vehicles. Identifying data such as names and driver's license numbers remains confidential.

--Child protection: Courts will consider child abuse committed in other states when determining whether a child needs protection in Minnesota. Children need protection if they are residing with anyone who has committed child abuse in the past.

--Victims rights: When a criminal seeks to expunge his or her record of the offense, the victims must be given notice and the opportunity to comment.

--Work sentences: Courts can sentence indigent criminals to community service instead of a fine.

--Asthma inhalers: School children with asthma can carry their inhalers with them in school, rather than leaving them in the nurse's office.

--Disruptive students: Teachers can remove disruptive students from class without fear of lawsuits.

--Drug paraphernalia: When students are found possessing drug paraphernalia, their school district will be notified. The state already has information-sharing policies for drug and alcohol use.

--Minor ID: Minors can present an employment eligibility form from Immigration and Naturalization services as proof of age to prospective employers.

--Genetic testing: Employers cannot request or require their workers to be genetically tested, and those who do can be sued by employees.

--Termination requests: Employees have 15 days to request the reason for their termination, up from five.

--Wage protection: Employers can not change the way they pay employees who leave the company. Outstanding compensation must be delivered under the same payment plan.

--Unemployment: People who quit their jobs because of domestic abuse can receive unemployment benefits. Some people can backdate their applications to receive benefits a week earlier.

--Energy loans: A revolving loan account for energy conservation projects for low-income renters is expanded from the Twin Cities area to the entire state.

--More power: The permit laws for building power plants are streamlined in an attempt to promote more electricity generation in the state. Utilities are also required to invest in conservation.

--Preventing pollution: The Pollution Control Agency can enforce more penalties for pollution hazards against companies that participate in a self-monitoring program.

--Wetland conservation: More wetlands will be eligible for the state's permanent conservation program and the deadline for appealing wetland decisions by the state is extended.

--Child support: Parents who are 180 days late with child support payments or owe more than nine times the monthly support will have committed a felony. Counties must try less drastic means to get parents to pay up before initiating prosecution. Child support payments must be credited on the date the central collections unit of a public agency receives them.

--Cheaters detained: Canterbury Park officials can detain people they suspect of cheating.

--Hiring police: Aspiring police officers can take extra exams to avoid other job requirements.

--Foreign dentists: Dentists trained in other countries can practice in Minnesota as long as they had equivalent training to an accredited U.S. dental school.

--Potlucks everywhere: Schools can hold potlucks in rooms other than the kitchen. Fraternal and patriotic groups can sell homemade food at some events.

--Apartment fees: The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency begins studying ways to reduce application fees for prospective tenants.

--Social workers: If a social worker's client threatens violence against someone, the social worker must notify that person of the threat.

--Gas prices: In most cases, gas stations cannot sell gas for less than the cost of buying it.

--Mining land: The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board has extra assurances that the commissioner can acquire land and equipment from mines that have closed, including the Hoyt Lakes plant of LTV Steel Mining Company.

--Seniors auto insurance: Senior citizens can choose to buy a lower-cost auto insurance plan that does not cover disability and wage loss.

--Paying for gas: People who fill up their gas tanks and drive off without paying can be charged for the price of the gas and a service fee of up to $30.

--Bus drivers: Drivers of school buses need to have their drivers' licenses verified annually.

--Driving disabled: Private taxi companies in the Twin Cities area can operate vehicles that accommodate wheelchairs.

--Foss Highway: Ted Foss, the state trooper who was killed in a car accident on the job last year, has a highway named after him. Interstate Highway 90, running from Winona County to the Wisconsin Border, is now the State Trooper Theodore 'Ted' Foss Memorial Highway.

--Wounded warriors: Aug. 7 is Combat Wounded Veterans Day, to honor veterans who earned the Purple Heart.