Idaho’s Otter signs off on required ultrasound notification, stalking protection

A ban on powdered alcohol, a requirement to tell women seeking abortion where to get a free ultrasound, expanded protections for stalking victims, a public records exemption shielding information on acquisition of silencers and machine guns, and a change in the movies-and-alcohol ban were among the legislative actions signed into law this week by Gov. Butch Otter.

The Governor’s office released the latest list of approved legislation Thursday. The bills were signed Wednesday. Under law, the governor has 10 days after adjournment to sign or veto a bill or let it become law without his signature. Here’s the latest summary:

Powdered Alcohol (H331a): Prohibits the possesssion, sale purchase and use of “palcohol.” Proposed by the state Liquor Division; 29 other states have also banned it.

Public records exemption, firearms (H478): Exempts from public disclosure registration documents filed locally for weapons or other items listed in the federal National Firearms Act of 1934. These include sawed off shot-guns, machine guns and silencers.

Non-compete agreements (H487): A change that makes is easier for employers to sue former employees over non-compete contracts. It requires employees to legal cases to “prove a negative,” that is, that they did not do something that caused irreparable harm to their former employer.

Ultrasounds (H516): Pushed by the anti-abortion lobby, requires that women seeking abortions receive a state-compiled list of ultrasound providers and be told they have a right to a free ultrasound.

Dangerous dogs (H525a): Provides for stronger regulation of dogs that attack people.

Movies and booze (H544): Removes a state liquor law prohibition that barred the showing of sexually explicit films where alcohol is served. Other laws already regulate films based on state indecency and obscenity standards, as well as federal pornography laws.

Work-related cancer (H554): Changes disability compensation rules for firefighters to presume that certain illnesses or diseases they suffer are job-related.

Public defense reform (H609): Adds $5.5 million in new funding for the Public Defense Commission in expand services and add positions.

Protection orders (S1373): Strengthens anti-stalking laws to allow any victim to seek court-ordered protection regardless of their relationship to their stalker.

Broadband settlement fund (S1428): An $8 million tranfer to the Legislature’s legal defense fund to cover a potential settlement regarding an illegal statewide public schools broadband contract.

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Idaho’s Otter signs off on required ultrasound notification, stalking protection."