930 new laws to take affect in California in 2015
Submitted by paula on Sun, 12/28/2014 - 11:04pm
Plastic bags, driver's licenses, selfies, assisted living and teens are just a few of the subjects the new laws in California will address in 2015.
Here are just a few of the 930 new laws:
Plastic Bags - South Lake Tahoe was at the forefront of banning single use plastic bags when the City Council took action in October of 2013 and banned the bags at grocery stores starting almost one year ago. The second phase, banning at retail stores was to take affect October, 2014 but the Council voted to delay that change.
Starting in the whole state in 2015, single use plastic bags will be banned in grocery stores and pharmacies July 1, then all other stores July 1, 2016. The state became the first in the nation to ban single-use plastic bags, although many cities and counties like South Lake Tahoe already have bans in place.
Selfie Protection - All individuals who take nude "selfies" that are intended to be private now have protection with a new state law. If anyone posts private photos and videos of someone (called "revenge porn") without their permission could face charges of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.
Driver's Licenses for Undocumented People - Perhaps the biggest new law will allow all undocumented people to drive legally. Since an anticipated 1.4 million people will apply for the new licenses over the next three years, the state has opened four new processing centers.
Assisted Living Care - The previous maximum fine of $150 for major health, safety and death violations for assisted living centers will be raised significantly to $10,000 for cases of physical abuse and $15,000 for violations that lead to a death.
Smart Phone Kill Switches - Smart phones manufactured after July 1 and sold in California will have to come with anti-theft technology that allows the owner to temporarily or permanently render the phone inoperable if stolen or lost. People can choose to enable this feature or not.
Audrie's Law - Named after Audrie Pott, a Saratoga, CA teen who killed herself after being sexually assaulted while unconscious, Audrie's Law will bring about tougher penalties for teens convicted of sex acts on someone who is passed out from drugs or alcohol, of incapable of giving consent due to a disability. Starting January 1, teens will face also receive fewer privacy protections if convicted.The teens convicted in the Pott case were given light sentences, between 30 days and 45 days in juvenile detention.
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