2002 brings new laws on contraception, drugs, child abuse

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Rape victims being told about emergency contraception. Dealers of "club" drugs facing stiffer sentences. Teachers sharing information about abused children.

Scores of new state laws take effect Jan. 1, promising new protections and benefits for Illinoisans. They range from odd (pet cremation) to arcane (cigarette tax stamps) to emotional (high school diplomas for veterans).

Many also address serious issues in people's lives.

One new law will require all hospitals -- even Catholic-run hospitals -- to tell rape victims about emergency contraception that can prevent pregnancy even after sexual contact.

Advocates say the information can spare rape victims the additional trauma of getting pregnant and facing a painful choice on abortion.

"It was a trauma to them. They hated going through that, and we hated to see them going through it," said Pamela Sutherland, president of Illinois Planned Parenthood Council.

Because of their religious objections, Catholic hospitals will not have to provide the contraception, but they must tell women where they can obtain it. That was a compromise from an earlier version of the legislation, which would have required all hospitals to provide contraception.

Another measure aims to reduce the use of Ecstasy and other drugs that are increasingly common at parties and nightclubs.

Police and prosecutors say the drugs, which can be fatal, are replacing marijuana as the "gateway" to use of cocaine and heroin. They also say some dealers prefer to sell Ecstasy because the current penalties are light.

Under current law, someone would have to sell 900 pills before facing Class X felony charges, which can bring six to 30 years in prison. HB126 will lower that to just 15 pills.

Teachers may have a better chance at helping abused children under another law taking effect Jan. 1.

It requires the state's child-welfare agency to place information about abuse cases in children's permanent school records. That way, the information will follow children to new schools and teachers will know to watch for signs of further abuse.

Other new laws include:

Giving pet owners more complete information about the methods used to cremate their dead animals;

Letting high schools award diplomas to World War II and Korean War veterans who left school before graduating.