Governor Brown signed 807 new State laws for 2016. Many laws—including the increase in the minimum wage from $9 to $10 per hour, the mandate that 50 percent of the State’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030, and the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes to minors—went into effect on January 1.
Some laws, however, begin with the new fiscal year. Below are a few of the new laws that went into effect on July 1.
Vaccination requirements: One of the most controversial bills this year, Senate Bill 277 (Pan) requires that, unless there is an underlying medical reason, parents must vaccinate their children in order for the children to be able to attend school.
Ivory ban/rhinoceros horn ban: Assembly Bill 96 (Atkins) bans the import, selling, and possession of ivory. The prohibition is enforceable by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is authorized to impose a penalty of up to $10,000 for the violation.
DMV proof of residency requirement: AB 1465 (Gordon) requires applicants for an original California driver’s license or identification card to submit proof of California residency to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
BPPE exam reviews: Under SB 752 (Salas), the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) will review the list of exams prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education. BPPE must approve an alternative exam for those with limited English proficiency or without a high school diploma or equivalent if it determines there is no appropriate exam for these students.
Disability payment change: SB 667 (Jackson) extends the disability benefit period from 14 to 60 days. Under this new law, fewer claimants with ongoing or recurring conditions will have to complete a new waiting period for each absence at work.
Wage garnishment protection: Under SB 501 (Wieckowski), the garnishment rate goes from a flat 25 percent of one’s wages to a sliding scale that depends on your income. The law does not apply to child support and government debt.
For more information about these laws or to find out about other new laws that took just effect, go to www.leginfo.ca.gov/NewLaws.html.
