New Indiana laws go into effect July 1st - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana's new laws take effect starting Friday. In all, more than 230 new laws go into effect aimed at making Indiana a safer and more civil place to live.

Student athletes who suffer a concussion or other serious head injury will now have to sit out and state law mandates they be checked out and cleared by a healthcare professional before returning to play or practice.

"I'm sure doctors are much more qualified than I am to make that assessment but I think overall it's good. Anything that's good for the kids' safety is good," said Denny Pelley, Speedway football coach.

City ordinances that prohibit guns in parks will no longer be valid. Cities won't be allowed to dictate where guns can be carried. Firearms will be permitted in most public places except hospitals, courtrooms and schools.

"It shouldn't have all their say so taken away. The state or a larger governing body shouldn't be able to dictate what each city does. They should also be able to have their rights there too to decide," said Mary Knous, Indianapolis.

A new public voyeurism law makes it a misdemeanor to take explicit video or pictures of someone without them knowing it. That gets bumped up to a felony if that video or those pictures are posted online.

That law was prompted after a sophisticated camera system, hidden in a shoe, was used by a Fort Wayne engineer to take pictures under unsuspecting women's skirts and dresses at Castleton Square Mall. Charges against the man had to be dropped when it became clear current law didn't cover his actions.

Drivers beware. You could be fined $500 if you text or e-mail while behind the wheel, even though police admit the law will be difficult to enforce.

"It's hard to tell if they're texting or checking e-mail or checking Facebook or making a phone call," said Indiana State Police Trooper John Perrine.

See a list of the new laws

New liquor ID law gives stores more leeway