New California Laws Taking Effect In 2016

Here are some of the new laws going into effect in California in 2016:

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Slow Moving Traffic (AB 208): The law requiring slow-moving passenger vehicles to pull over safely to let traffic pass now applies to all vehicles including bicycles.

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Electric Bicycles (AB 1096): A new definition of an electric bicycle as a bicycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. The law creates three classes of electric bicycles. Manufacturers will also need to certify the electric bicycles comply with specified requirements. Electric bicycle riders will be able to use roads similar to other bicycle riders, while providing a measure of local control if safety concerns arise on specific paths or public trails.

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Expands Use of Amber Alert System to Hit-and-Run: (AB 8): The state’s Amber Alert emergency system, typically used as in child-abduction cases, will be used to broadcast a “Yellow Alert” to find hit-and-run drivers in incidents that result in death or major injuries.

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Earbuds or Headsets While Driving (SB 491): Makes it illegal to wear earbuds or headsets in both ears while driving a vehicle or riding a bicycle. This does not apply to persons operating authorized emergency vehicles, construction equipment and refuse or waste equipment while wearing a headset or safety earplugs.

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Electrically Motorized Skateboards (AB 604): Riders on electric skateboards must be 16 years or older, wear helmets and ride on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, wear safety equipment to increase visibility at night, restricts their operation on public facilities, and authorizes cities and counties to regulate their use. It will also be against the law to ride an electric skateboard while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

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The Fair Pay Act (SB 358): Allows female employees to allege pay discrimination. Also allows women to talk about their own pay and inquire about the pay of others without facing discipline. Employers can justify higher wages for men only if the pay is based on seniority, a merit system, quantity or quality of production or any other “bona fide factor other than sex.”

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Reproductive FACT Act (AB 775): Requires pregnancy clinics to hand out or post information about where women can obtain low-cost contraceptives, prenatal care and abortions.

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Vaccination laws (SB 277): Takes effect on July 1, 2016. Allows only children with serious health problems to opt out of school-mandated vaccinations. School-age children who remain unvaccinated will need to be home-schooled. Schools will begin vetting students to ensure they have their shots in July, before the 2016-2017 school year begins.

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California’s New Motor Voter Program (AB 1461): The automatic voter registration process applies to qualified individuals who apply for a driver license or identification card, or submit a change of address to the DMV and will take effect no later than one year after the Secretary of State certifies the state has a statewide voter registration database that complies with the requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, the Legislature has appropriated the funds necessary for the Secretary of State and DMV to implement and maintain the program, and the Secretary of State has adopted regulations to implement the law.

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California Residency Requirement (AB 1465): This law will require an applicant for an original driver license or identification card to provide proof of California state residency, starting July 1, 2016. The DMV will need to adopt regulations relating to the procedures for verifying that the applicant is a California resident.

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Search Warrants for Digital Data (SB 178): Search warrants required before law enforcement can obtain your emails, text messages, Internet search history and other digital data.

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Ballot Fees Raised (AB 1100): Raises the cost of submitting a ballot proposal from $200 to $2,000 to discourage frivolous or potentially unconstitutional proposals.

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High School Graduation Testing Requirement Rescinded (SB 172): Lifts the requirement through the 2017-2018 school year and applies retroactively to 2004 allowing students who have completed graduation requirements to apply for diplomas.

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No Guns on Campus (SB 172): Concealed firearms are barred from college campuses and K-12 school grounds.

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Gun Restraining Orders (AB 1014): Allows family members to obtain a restraining order temporarily barring gun ownership for a relative they believe to be at risk of committing an act of violence.

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Mandatory Sex Ed (AB 329): Sex Ed courses mandatory unless parents specifically seek an opt-out. Updated curricula to include, more information about HIV and the spectrum of gender identity.

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Yes Means Yes (SB 695): High school students to learn the “yes means yes” standard of consent to sexual acts and that they should be getting explicit approval from partners.