'Hope Act', hundreds of other laws take effect today in Olympia



OLYMPIA -- More than 200 new laws will take effect Thursday in Washington state, ranging from giving financial aid to college students without legal status to increased severity of restraining orders for domestic violence perpetrators.

Washington's state's "Real Hope Act" is perhaps the biggest law to take effect in the state Thursday. The law, modeled after the "Dream Act" of other states, expands financial aid to college students who were taken to this country at a young age. Though they don't have legal status, they can still receive aid if they are going to school and trying to improve their life.

To qualify for the law, students must have received their high school diploma in this state and have lived here for at least three years.

Other laws that take effect today, according to a list compiled by Rachel La Corte of the Associated Press:


    For a complete list of new laws, visit the secretary of state's website.