In March, Argosy University became the latest chain of for-profit colleges to announce a sudden and unexpected closure after the United States Department of Education ended their ability to access federally-backed student loan funding, known as Title IV funds. In response, the California Office of Student Assistance and Relief (OSAR) has begun the process of…
With moving season right around the corner, predatory moving companies will be out looking to make a fast buck – or a few thousand bucks – off unsuspecting California consumers. The California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) regulates household movers performing moves of household goods and personal effects over any public highway in…
Responding to the growing danger of opioid addiction stemming from prescription drug abuse, the Dental Board of California (DBC) has voted to require continuing education courses on the prescribing of opioids as a condition of license renewal for dentists. The new language states “…dentists shall be required to take two units of continuing education on…
It’s no secret that celebrities are often in attendance at high profile combat sporting events like mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing matches, but one young fighter has a Hollywood star in his corner. Actor Chris Pratt recently added a new role to his resume, as a licensed second (commonly known as a cornerman) with…
The first tax season under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is in full swing, and some filers have been surprised to see smaller than expected refunds. According to the IRS, the average refund as of February 8 is $1949, down $186 from the same time last year. The deadline to file is still…
After years of successful regulation of the thermal insulation and electronic and appliance repair industries, the California Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation (BEARHFTI) became the regulator of the home moving and storage industry, taking the reins from the California Public Utilities Commission in July of 2018. Rather than attempt…
Have you ever wondered how many physicians and surgeons are licensed to practice by the Medical Board of California? It’s 140,748. How about the number of civil engineers licensed by the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists? 57,513. How about a harder one: maybe you’d like to see the year-over-year increase in licenses…
When it comes to authorizing work to be done on a vehicle, new regulations adopted by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) will allow automotive repair dealers to provide their customers with more ways to say “go.” BAR’s new electronic regulations allow consumers to authorize work to be done on their vehicles via text message,…
The winter 2018 issue of Consumer Connection magazine is out now! In our last issue of the year, we cover the modifications that can help seniors stay in their homes longer, the best time of year to have solar installed on your home, treating children with concussions, how to reduce your exposure to blue light…
The 2018 California Legislative session saw more than 1000 bills signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on topics ranging from net neutrality to gender discrimination, climate change to plastic straws, and, of course… cannabis. Cannabis-related legislation was a cornerstone of the legislative session. Some new laws offered minor language cleanup to the Medicinal and…
