NEW WONDERFULNESS FROM THE FORMERLY GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA

By Bob Walsh

 

This time of year is always interesting.  The Sacramento PRAVDA (sometimes know as the BEE) publishes information on some of the new laws that are taking effect in sunny California. 

There is a new boost in the overall minimum wage, to $16.50 per hour.  

Legacy admissions have been banned for colleges in CA, including both public and private schools.  There seems to  be little actual legal basis for enforcing the law against private schools like Stanford and USC but does provide a basis for moral shaming which will probably be effective.

Both AB1880 and SB764 create some new legal protections under the old Coogan Act, a law protecting child actors from exploitation.  It covers teens and even younger children who post valuable content on-line.  The law mandates that the minor's parents or guardians set aside a significant portion of their take in a trust payable when they reach legal adulthood.

Replacement wages for persons taking paid family leave bumps up to 70-90% from the previous 60-70%.  A related new law prohibits employers from mandating that persons filing for family leave to take vacation time first.

SB399 prohibits employers from requiting that employees attend mandatory "captive audience" meetings which have a political, religious or anti-union message as their primary component.  The Calif. Labor Commission can fine employers up to $500 for violations.

Several different laws and one ballot proposition have kicked in or are about to kick in which will make it much easier and more effective to prosecute organized retail theft.  

You no longer have to PROVE that your car was locked in order to charge a person with car theft or auto burglary.  It is also possible now to aggregate the value of property stolen, even in different counties, to create one felony offense.  

Hair texture and protected hair styles are now specifically included under racial discrimination in California.  

It is now illegal in CA for banks and credit unions to charge customers a fee for "insufficient funds" if their credit card is declined in a transaction.  Legal insufficient fee charges are capped at $14.  

Cannabis Cafe's can now be legally permitted in CA.

Medical debt can not longer be reported to credit reporting companies and can no longer be used for making credit granting or denial decisions.

Under AB3162 it is no longer legal to "farm" octopus in the state.  There are no known octopus farms in CA.

Foster parents are now required to demonstrate a willingness and ability to  "provide for the needs" of LBGTQWXYZ regardless of that child's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression before they can take in any foster children.

All CA counties are now required to provide caregiver training that supports "children of all races, ethnic group identifications, ancestries, national origins, colors, religions, sexes, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability or HIV status in foster care."  I guess if you are dangerous, violent, mentally ill transsexual Pastafarian who is HIV positive and who identifies as Klingon you are all set in CA.