New laws take effect in Virginia

This year, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has signed into law 884 bills passed by the legislature. A few, such as the repeal of bad-driver fees, had emergency clauses and took effect as soon as Kaine signed them. The vast majority took effect Tuesday. Here are some highlights:

Driver’s licenses
Renewing your registration in person at the Department of Motor Vehicles will cost $44, up from $39. A license will be valid for eight years, up from five.

Learner’s permits
The minimum number of driving hours to get a learner’s permit rises from 40 to 45 hours, at least 15 of which must be after sunset.
Seat belts
You could face a $500 fine if convicted a second time of failing to buckle up a child in a child-safety belt. A third conviction could result in a driver’s license suspension for 30 days.

Sunday alcohol sales
ABC stores will be open in Richmond on Sundays. Since 2004, ABC stores have been allowed to open on Sundays in 10 cities and counties in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. The new law adds Richmond, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News and Chesapeake to the list. In those five cities, 36 stores will start Sunday sales from 1 to 6 p.m.

Underage DUI
Under the “zero tolerance” law, an underage drinker who drives with a blood-alcohol level of .02 per-cent or higher will be subject to a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Payday lending
Borrowers will be limited to one loan at a time. Repayment will be extended from two weeks to four. Interest rates will be capped at 36 percent.

Unemployment compensation
The maximum weekly unemployment compensation benefit will rise from $363 to $378 for claims effective on or after July 6.

Foreclosures
If you’re facing foreclosure because of a high-risk loan, you can get a 30-day reprieve and credit counseling.

Credit reports
Any consumer can freeze access to his credit report and bar a consumer reporting agency from releasing the report without the consumer’s authorization.

Social Security numbers
It will be illegal to disseminate another person’s Social Security number, whether it was obtained from a public or private document.

Home ownership protection
The State Corporation Commission can impose a fine of up to $2,500 on a mortgage lender or mortgage broker for violating any law or regulation that applies to the business.

Military parents
Courts will have new limits on permanently modifying custody or visitation orders involving a child whose parent is deployed in the military.

Mental health
It will be easier to commit someone involuntarily before he poses a danger. The lower threshold allows such orders if a person may cause serious harm to himself or others.

Health terms
In the Code of Virginia, the term “mentally retarded” will be replaced by the term “persons of intellectual disability.”

Illegal immigration
Judicial officers will act under a presumption of no bail for illegal immigrants who are charged with certain crimes.

Animal fighting
Animal fighting of any kind, such as cockfighting, will be a Class 1 misdemeanor. Misdemeanors will rise to felo-nies with the presence of minors, gambling activity or the involvement of dogs.

Commercial dog breeding
Breeders can keep no more than 50 adult dogs at a time. A breeder must have a business license and a fire emer-gency plan and must cooperate with inspections by animal-control officers.

French-kissing a child
It will be a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person 18 years of age or older to kiss a child under the age of 13 on the mouth and penetrate the child’s mouth with his tongue. A convicted offender must register on the sex-offender registry.

Richmond Times-Dispatch Staff writers Jeff Schapiro, Olympia Meola, Jim Nolan and Tyler Whitley contributed to this report.