Posted on: Monday, July 1, 2002

State's new laws take effect today

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Beginning today, drivers with expired licenses have three months to renew them before having to start over with learner's permits, drug abusers will get access to clean syringes, and people who feed sharks for commercial gain will be breaking the law.

More than three dozen state laws that passed during the 2002 legislative session go into effect today. Some of them — including legislation that aims to address Hawai'i's problems with drug abuse — could have far-reaching affects.

First-time, nonviolent drug users will be sentenced to probation and get drug treatment instead of jail time, a measure that judges and health officials say should help alleviate prison overcrowding as well as related public health problems.

A law allowing pharmacists and doctors to sell sterile syringes to suspected drug users is aimed at preventing the spread of AIDS, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, Health Department officials said.

The new law prohibiting the feeding of sharks as part of a commercial venture was modeled after laws passed in Florida after officials there noticed sharks were coming closer to shore and periodically attacking tourists. Tour guides who attract sharks to boats and diving sites by dropping food could face fines from $100 to $500.

And knowingly missing a court date, whether for shark feeding or some other infraction, is now punishable by fines of up to $1,000 and jail time of up to a month.

Gov. Ben Cayetano praised the Legislature for what he said was one of the most consumer-oriented package of reforms compiled in recent years. But two of what may be the most eagerly anticipated reforms, laws that would make prescription medication more affordable and allow state officials to set price caps on gasoline, won't go into full effect until 2004.