These new laws will go into effect in Minnesota on August 1

A raft of new laws will take effect in Minnesota on August 1.

The laws passed by the Minnesota Legislature include new clarifications on protections in the Minnesota Human Rights Act, higher penalties for "straw purchases" of firearms and more.

Here's a look at some of the new laws and how they will impact Minnesotans:

Straw purchase penalties increase

Harsher penalties will take effect this year for straw purchasing offenses, in which someone buys a firearm for someone who is ineligible to purchase or possess one.

The penalty for these purchases will increase in August, going from a gross misdemeanor to a felony. However, exceptions will be considered if the person who bought the gun can prove they did so out of fear of sustaining substantial bodily harm or death.

The new law takes effect just under sixth months after three Burnsville first responders were shot and killed in the line of duty.

Federal prosecutors have alleged the gunman's girlfriend straw purchased the firearms that were used in the killings .

Penalties for threatening public and judicial officials

Taking effect August 1, the charge for making a fake 911 call that a serious crime is underway, otherwise known as "swatting," will rise from a gross misdemeanor to a felony when it is targeted at a public official's home.

This includes elected officials, judges, prosecuting attorneys, correctional facility employees, and peace officers.

It will also be a misdemeanor to knowingly publish personal information of a judicial official with the intent to threaten or physically harm them. It will become a felony if actions result in physical harm.

Protections clarified in the Minnesota Human Rights Act

New protections within the Minnesota Human Rights Act will include disability protections for people with life-long disabilities such as HIV, diabetes, or cancer. These protections will also enable people who file a discrimination claim with the Department of Human Rights to use other resolutions, including mediation, to resolve the matter.

These changes will also prevent credit companies from discriminating against someone due to familial status, clarify exemptions for religious organizations, and require district courts hearing discrimination lawsuits to order a civil penalty against the guilty party, requiring them to pay the suffering party.

Rights for parents with disabilities

A new law will ensure the courts cannot deny a potential adoptive parent the ability to adopt due to being disabled, nor can a petition be filed alleging that a child needs protection or services based on a parent's disability.

Additionally, the law states that visiting times between a parent and their children cannot be denied due to a parent's disability "unless the parent has specific behaviors that would endanger the health or safety of the child."

End to 'deceptive marketing' of vapes

Portions of the commerce law that will go into effect in August include prohibiting "deceptive marketing" in vape products targeted to minors. This includes imitating food or food brands, school supplies, or characters known to appeal to minors.

This change comes after the Minnesota Department of Health reported back in July that nicotine dependency has increased among teens, with 7 in 10 students who vape wanting to quit and nearly two-thirds reporting they'd tried to stop.

Additionally, the buying, possession, or selling of phone cases or accessories that resemble guns will be prohibited.

More on new laws in Minnesota can be found here .