A new year brings about a new set of laws that will go into effect. Check out a couple
No eating Roadkill- Senate Bill 395 won’t allow the general public to collect and eat animals fatally struck on California roads. Did we seriously need a law for this???
Distracted Drivers- Although this law does not go into effect until July 1, 2021 you should probably know that Assembly Bill 47 passed and it means that a point will be added to your license for using a handheld device while behind the wheel.
Rights For Bikes- Assembly Bill 1266 allows bicyclists to travel straight through turn lanes (right and left) at intersections, as long as the traffic light indicates such movement is allowed.
Minimum Wage- SB3 raises the state minimum wage to $13 an hour for workplaces with 26 or more employees and to $12 for workplaces with fewer than 26 employees.
Paid Leave- SB83 increases paid leave from six to eight weeks for people taking care of a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. This law actually goes into effect on July 1, 2020
Animal Laws- The Circus cruelty aw bans the use of exotic animals like elephants in circus acts. It only allows dogs, cats and domesticated horses to be part of circus performances. SB1249 bans cosmetics that were tested on animals.
Statute of Limitations on Sex Assaults/Domestic Violence- AB218 gives victims of childhood sexual abuse until age 40, or five years from discovery of the abuse, to file civil lawsuits, the previous age was 26. SB273 extends the statute of limitations to report domestic violence to law enforcement from one year to five years.
Rent Cap- The law caps rent increases at 5% each year plus inflation for the next decade. The cap does not apply to property built within the last 15 years.