Friday marks the date on which most of the legislation approved this past session by the General Assembly takes effect.

Most of the legislation passed by the General Assembly last session goes into affect July 1. Here is a list of this year’s new laws.

A bill authored last session to terminate a rapist’s parental rights failed to even get a committee hearing. But the hopes of its advancement this coming session are boosted by a unanimous recommendation from the Criminal Code Study Committee.

Under a change that took effect July 1, drivers who are 18, 19 and 20 years old can no longer use a cell phone – not even hands free – while driving. Previously, the restriction had only applied to teens younger than 18.