For many states, July 1 brings a new fiscal year and is the effective date for a host of new laws -- many dealing with controversial issues. Perhaps the most widely discussed new state law is Vermont's civil union law recognizing the legal unions of same-sex couples. Meanwhile, South Dakota lawmakers have strengthened an existing law barring same-sex marriages.

• Tomorrow it will be legal to post the Ten Commandments in Indiana courthouses -- and supporters in the town of Paoli plan to do so at a minute past midnight.

• Indiana and Florida will allow mothers to abandon unwanted newborns at hospitals without fear of prosecution, while Georgia doctors will be able to take abused children into protective custody temporarily.

• Pennsylvania property owners will get a $100 tax rebate and sales taxes will disappear in Connecticut for college text books, child car seats and movie tickets costing over $5.

• Minnesota will require more criminals to contribute DNA samples -- while Oklahoma is loosening its DNA rules so inmates can have old evidence retested.

Source: Robert Tanner, "Wave of New Laws Rolls into States This Weekend," USA Today, June 30, 2000.

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