Legislative briefs for May 16, 2001

Wednesday, May 16, 2001 | 10:25 a.m.

Limits placed on car stereos

Those who allow their car radios or boom boxes to play at deafening levels could face jail time under a bill approved by the Senate Tuesday and sent to Gov. Kenny Guinn for his signature.

"This is a huge problem," said Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas. "These loud noises can cause epileptic fits."

According to Assembly Bill 271, which passed 14-6, it is a misdemeanor for a driver to operate a sound amplification system that can be heard 25 feet from the vehicle. O'Donnell explained that is the usual distance from the street to a home.

He said it will be up to the discretion of the police officer "to deal with the problem."

O'Donnell quipped that young people listening to the loud noises "will not be able to hear a thing" when they reach 55 or 60 years of age.

Sound systems to which the law would apply include radios, compact disc and cassette players. The bill would not apply to emergency vehicles, parades, licensed businesses such as an ice cream truck or a device used to warn of a hazardous situation.

Assembly passes Senate Bill 183

The Assembly on Tuesday passed a measure broadening the definition of who is covered under a state statute barring sexual conduct between school officials and students.

Senate Bill 183 adds volunteers and any person of authority in a school to the list of those barred from engaging in sexual content with a pupil who is 14 or 15 and who is enrolled or attending the school where that person works or volunteers.

The measure, which will take effect July 1 if signed by the governor, makes such contact a category B felony punishable by 1 to 6 years in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The bill does not prevent more serious charges to be filed if applicable in a specific case.