SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Dozens of new laws take effect in the new year.
A loophole in Oregon’s ban on cell phone use while driving will go away. Starting Sunday, motorists will no-longer be able to skirt a fine by claiming talking while driving is necessary for their job. Instead, that privilege will be reserved for emergency workers and tow-truck drivers, but 911 calls will still be allowed.
People who solicit underage prostitutes will face steep fines in a bid to crack down on child sex trafficking.
It will be illegal sell or possess shark fins, which are used in some Asian cuisine but often come from illegally killed sharks.
And drunken drivers who enter a diversion program instead of a jail will have to get a breath-test machine installed in their car.
