Home » Ahwahnee » Guns, Powdered Alcohol, School Mascots: New Laws For 2017

Guns, Powdered Alcohol, School Mascots: New Laws For 2017

CALIFORNIA — We’ve covered laws from the DMV including those pertaining to use of wireless electronic devices, child car safety seats, motorcycle lane-splitting and related others in an earlier report that’s available for review at this link.

Governor Jerry Brown signed over 800 California laws in 2016. Here are a handful that go into effect Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, unless otherwise noted:

Assault weapons SB 1446 Owners of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds are required to give them up, and buyers will now face a background check before they can purchase ammunition. Buyers will be barred from buying new weapons that have a bullet button. Read the new law here.

Building Safety SB 465 The state will try to improve their monitoring of potential safety issues and require better information-sharing between agencies when it comes to contractors, convictions and legal settlements. After one year a group will decide whether changes are needed to state building codes. Read the new law here.

Community college for homeless students AB 1995 Any community college campus with shower facilities will now allow homeless students who are enrolled, paid and in good standing to use the facilities. Read the new law here.

Drinking in salons AB 1322 Beauty salons and barber shops will be allowed to serve free wine or beer to their clients until 10 p.m. Read the new law here.

End of Life AB 1668 Terminally ill patients in California will be allowed to use certain experimental drugs to decide when they want to end their lives. The bill authorizes health plans to cover drugs that do not yet have full regulatory approval, but does not require it, and protects doctors from disciplinary actions if they recommend these drugs once other treatment options have been exhausted. Read the new law here.

EpiPens AB 1386 Businesses can stock EpiPens in case there is a need to treat someone suffering from a life-threatening allergic reaction. The law allows pharmacies to dispense the devices to colleges, private businesses and other venues with a plan in place for using them. Read the new law here.

Gender-neutral bathrooms AB 1732 Beginning March 1, all single-user toilet facilities in any business or public place are to be designated as all-gender facilities. Read the new law here.

Human trafficking SB 1322 People under 18 cannot be charged with prostitution and will instead be treated as victims. This law is now among a handful of related bills that include raising the age minors can testify outside a courtroom from 13 to 15, protecting victims’ names from disclosure, and mandating that they have access to county services. Read the new law here.

LEO handgun storage SB 869 Law enforcement officers will now be required follow the same rules as civilians by securely storing handguns in a lockbox out of plain view or, if weapons are left in an unattended vehicle, in the trunk. Read the new law here.

Minimum wage SB 3 At companies with 26 or more employees, the minimum wage will increase from $10 an hour to $10.50.  Read the new law here.

Powdered alcohol SB 819 It is illegal to possess, sell, make or use powdered alcohol including spirits, liquor, wine, beer and every other liquid that can be combined with water or any other liquid. Read the new law here.

School mascots AB 30 California public schools will be barred from using the name “Redskins” for sports teams and mascots. Read the new law here.

Sexual assault AB 2888 Sexually assaulting an unconscious or severely intoxicated person becomes a crime that is not eligible for probation. The law also clarifies that a victim cannot consent to sex while unconscious or incapacitated by drugs, alcohol or medication. Read the new law here.

Youth sports concussions AB 2007 Youth sports organizations are required to notify parents or guardians of athletes under 17 who have been told to sit out because of a suspected concussion. Athletic organizations must now offer annual concussion and head injury education to coaches and administrators, and comply with athlete removal provisions and return-to-play protocol. Read the new law here.

Leave a Reply

Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online