Alrighty everyone, we've officially gotten into the new year and gotten settled, so I wanted to be sure to give you a heads up on a couple of things. 

Every year, there are new laws in Missouri, and well, sometimes they affect you and sometimes they don't.  This year, three new laws will definitely affect you or someone you know, so let's go over them real quick.

1.  The Minimum Wage.

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The MW in Missouri has already gone up. It was about $12.30 if I recall correctly, and now it'll go up to $13.75.  Proposition A is how this came about, and next year, the MW will come up to $15.  Prop A also has a part that says employers are required to give employees one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours they've worked.  There are exceptions, of course, like school districts and government jobs.  But most people who work in MW jobs will see this soon, if they haven't already.  If you haven't seen it, ask how it's documented.

2.  Expunging Your Record.

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Okay, first of all, what is Expungement?  Sounds like something a plumber would do to your bathroom.  Anyway, what it means is, people can apply to remove criminal convictions from the public record.  Before, in Missouri, you could apply and be granted two misdemeanor expungements, and one felony.  Now, you get three misdemeanors and two felonies.  Now, of course, there are rules to this. You can't just pick and choose and hope for the best.  Gotta do it the right way, you dig.

3.  Cell Phones In Your Car.

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As of January 1st.  if you are seen by a law enforcement officer with your phone in your hand while driving or in your car, you can get a ticket.  I know you're thinking, "Behk, that's already illegal, isn't it? "  Well, yes.  It is.  As of August 2023, you can't use your phone in the car due to the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law.  However, the law came with a "Grace Period", where basically everyone who was caught from then til now would get a warning, not a ticket.  And now, well, the grace period is over, and enforcement will start. No texting, calling, not even holding your phone. You can use hands free, but nothing else.  The phone fines are pretty serious, too, could be up to $150 the first time, $250 the second, and $500 the third.   So if you're still using your phone while driving, just be aware.... they're not going to give you a break anymore.  

Lawfully yours,

Behka

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