New Laws for Staten Island Residents Concerning Rebates, Tanning Salons and Moving Out of the Way of Emergency Response Vehicles in 2011

Each year, the legislature passes new laws that take effect on January 1 of the new year. For 2011, New York State has enacted three new laws that may affect Staten Island residents.

The first law now requires stores to inform consumers about how their rebates will be given to them. Because of the explosion of pre-paid debit cards and their expiration dates and activation fees, consumers are now required to be told if the rebate will be in cash, check, store credit or pre-paid card. Consumers will now be able to make an informed choice about just how much money they will actually be receiving from the rebate.

Tanning salons will also be under new rules and regulations prohibiting children under 14-years of age from using tanning beds. Children between the ages of 14 and 18 years must have a letter of consent signed by the parent or guardian while that parent or guardian is in the salon. This law was enacted to help prevent the high incidence of skin cancers that may result from exposure to tanning beds.

The most important law is New York's Move Over Law, enacted to protect police, fire fighters and emergency responders. The law now requires drivers to move over into the next lane when approaching a police officer, fire fighter or emergency responder on the side of the road. If you are on a single-lane street, you are required to slow down when passing the emergency responder.