A new year means that new state laws take effect. Here is a sampling of some of the new legislation on the books, which you can read online in full at the Illinois General Assembly’s site, www.ilga.gov:

 – Carbon-monoxide detectors: House Bill 5284 requires carbon-monoxide detectors in all homes that use fossil fuels to heat or cook and have an attached garage. The detector must be placed within 15 feet of a sleeping area.

 – Identity theft: Senate Bill 2310 allows residents to protect against identity theft by putting a security freeze on their credit reports. Information is available on the Attorney General Identity Theft Hotline at (866) 999-5630.

 – Good Samaritans: Senate Bills 2303 and 2968 amend “Good Samaritan” laws to protect people with first-aid training from being sued for attempting to help injured people.

 – Health insurance: House Bill 4125 requires most private insurance plans as well as all state and local plans to pay for treatment of autism and other pervasive child developmental disorders.

 – Eminent domain: Senate Bill 3086 requires that governments have clear and convincing evidence that private land is needed for public use before seizing it.

It also requires governments to reimburse an owner’s relocation expenses and legal fees in some instances.

 – Elder abuse: House Bill 4676 requires the Illinois Department on Aging to investigate reports of senior self-abuse or self-neglect.

 – Sex offenders: Several new laws address the monitoring of sex offenders.

Police now have the ability to monitor paroled child sex offenders and sexual predators through global positioning system technology.

The state also imposed stricter guidelines for sex offenders near child-care facilities. The changes were made in House Bills 4222 and 4606, as well as Senate Bills 0859, 2873, 2962 and 3016.

 – Railroad crossings: Senate Bill 2865 gives local governments the power to install cameras at railroad crossings to crack down on drivers who go around lowered gates.

 – Military impostors: House Bill 4121 makes falsely claiming or wearing a military valor medal a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $200. Medals worn for theater or historical re-enactment are exempt.