TOUGH NEW LAWS TAKE EFFECT

Last Wednesday was the day provided in state law for many newly passed bills to become effective after being signed by the governor. Among the most significant are measures toughening penalties for the worst sexual offenders and for teen-agers caught driving and drinking.

The latter, dubbed a zero-tolerance bill, will lead to loss of driver's licenses for teen-age offenders. The sex offender bill labels "sexual predators" those offenders who commit a sex crime and who have a prior conviction for rape, sodomy, child molestation, sexual abuse or intent to commit any of these crimes. Missourians can be grateful for these new laws.