* Minnesota…

Starting July 1, a whole slate of new state laws kicked in, including one that advocates working to combat hunger say is a game changer: Free breakfast and lunch for all kids in school.

This will make permanent in Minnesota a COVID-era policy that provided the meals at no cost to students, regardless of their family income. The state “universal meals” program will begin this fall and extends to some remaining summer academic programs, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.

Schools must be enrolled in the national lunch and breakfast programs in order to qualify. The federal government will still pay for meals it otherwise would for children who meet the requirements, while the state will pick up the tab for the difference of covering everyone else. That’s estimated to be $388 million in this two-year state budget.

Illinois passed a similar law, but it was not funded.

* Michigan…

The governor of Michigan signed legislation Tuesday that aims to eventually end child marriage in that state, raising the minimum age at which one can get married to 18 years old under all circumstances.

The state previously allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to wed with written permission from a parent or legal guardian. Minors under 16 were able to get married with judicial approval.

But several laws signed by Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer effectively stop the practice, the Detroit Free Press reports. […]

Whitmer signed legislation banning marriage with minors even with parental permission. Children who are married are also no longer considered emancipated, and parents and guardians can now apply for the annulment of a marriage involving a child, the Free Press added.

In Illinois, at 16, minors can get married with parental permission.

* Denmark…

The Governors Highway Safety Association is crunching numbers on pedestrian fatalities, and they expect the final tally to be 7,508 people killed while walking in 2022. That’s the most since 1981. […]

Long ago, the Danes adopted a proactive and protective approach toward pedestrians. Here’s an excerpt Danish Traffic Act § 27:

Drivers who approach a pedestrian crossing that is not regulated must adjust their speed in such a way that there is no danger or inconvenience to pedestrians who are in the crossing or are on their way into it. If necessary, the driver must stop to let pedestrians pass.

The motorist is responsible for not endangering or inconveniencing pedestrians, even before those pedestrians reach a designated crosswalk. […]

(M)otorists are required to adjust their speed in such a way that there is no inconvenience to pedestrians who are are on their way into the street.

Here’s the Illinois statute…

When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

* Massachusetts…

Sidewalks and bike lanes will no longer suffice as safe lanes for walkers and those who rely on pedal power. […]

A new Massachusetts law now requires motorists to provide a “safe passing distance” between their vehicle when encountering other roadway users. […]

The law states there must be at least 4 feet of clearance when passing “vulnerable road users”

* California…

The Newark Police Department conducted a Pedestrian Safety Operation on Tuesday.

According to the department, non-uniformed members crossed streets in marked pedestrian crosswalks while officers monitored drivers’ compliance to grant the right-of-way. The operation took place in the areas of Newark Boulevard and Ruschin Drive, Thornton Avenue and Magnolia Street, and Cedar Boulevard near Milani Avenue between the hours of 7 a.m. and noon.

The department called the operation an “opportunity to educate drivers regarding pedestrian right-of-ways and other associated traffic laws. “

* Texas…

Drunk drivers in Texas will now need to pay child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian in a car crash, according to a new law that went into effect Friday.

The bipartisan bill was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in June. It rules that any person found guilty of intoxicated manslaughter must pay child support if the victim had a child, to an amount determined by a judge. […]

Those who can’t pay will be given payment plans, with those in prison forced to pay the support within the first year after release. […]

Tennessee was the first state to pass a similar measure last year, and it is being considered in about 20 more.