What laws will take effect in California in 2021 year

Due to the coronavirus, wildfires, and elections, you may not have followed closely the California legislature, which passed hundreds of bills this year. Edition ABC7 told what new laws will come into force in the new year.

Photo: Shutterstock

Demilitarization of police uniforms

Law enforcement agencies will no longer be allowed to wear camouflage or otherwise resemble military uniforms.

Messages and calls while driving

California already has a law that you can't talk on the phone or write messages while driving. But now it has been tightened. Starting in July 2021, if you are caught driving your phone twice in 36 months, you will add 1 point of fines to your case.

Boards of directors

The law, which came into force in 2019, already requires all California-based state-owned companies to have at least one woman on their board of directors. Now, by the end of 2021, any board with at least five members must have at least two women, and any six-member board must have three women.

On the subject: In California, three men are registered as fathers of one child for the first time

Companies are also given another year to add even more diversity: Boards of at least four members must have two or more minority members (meaning “a person who identifies as black, African American, Hispanic, Asian, indigenous American, Hawaiian Native or Alaska Native, or who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender).

Children in cars

In California, it is already illegal to leave a child under 6 years old in a car unattended. The new law protects people who try to break into a car to save a child from civil or criminal liability for property damage.

Coronavirus Protection Act

The law, which runs from 2021 to 2023, requires companies to notify employees and the general public about a workplace infection with coronavirus within a day of infection.

Target group for studying the history of slavery

The new law establishes a task force to study the history of slavery in the United States and how this legacy still affects the descendants of slaves. After researching and hearing witness statements, the task force will recommend how California reimbursements will be paid and who will receive these reimbursements if such a program is implemented.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

Opportunities for Prisoner Firefighters

The new law allows people who have worked in prison fire brigades while in prison to go to court after release to request that their custody records be removed. This will make it easier for them to find work after release, including as a professional firefighter. Persons convicted of sexual crimes and certain serious crimes are not eligible to do so.

Voting rights of freed persons

Voters adopted Proposition 17 in the November elections, which restores the right to vote to criminals after serving their sentences.

Transfer of ownership

Proposition 19 was also passed in the November election, which changes some of California's property transfer laws. Starting in February, those who will inherit the property must use it as their primary residence or review its tax value.

Starting in April 2021, homeowners 55 and older, or those who have lost their home to the disaster, will also be able to transfer their tax value to a more expensive home three times (instead of the currently allowed one).

Family leave

Current legislation requires companies with 50 or more employees to offer 12 weeks of family leave. The law will greatly expand this protection by requiring companies with five or more employees to grant the same amount of family leave.

Youth Criminal Justice Reforms

In 2021, several bills will enter into force to reform attitudes towards youth in the justice system. Effective January 1, the law prohibits sending children who misbehave in school to probation programs or to be placed in the custody of a court. Instead, they will be directed to support.

On the subject: Ukrainians are building an e-sports arena in California: what they will play there

Beginning in July, the state is phasing out juvenile prisons. Another law also makes it easier for juveniles in police custody to obtain legal advice prior to interrogation.

More protection for student loan borrowers

The bill implements many new protections for student loan borrowers and makes it harder for lenders to take advantage of the fact that people may not know all their rights or how to navigate a shaky system. It comes into force in July 2021.

Banning flavored tobacco

This law prohibits the sale of all flavored tobacco products in California. Lawmakers say the goal is to make these products less attractive to children and teens. But just before the end of 2020, California state officials agreed to delay the ban after opponents led by tobacco companies said they had collected enough signatures to put the new law to a statewide vote.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Many new records: 2020 was rich in natural disasters

Our galaxy is full of dead alien civilizations: exploration

California residents are rapidly leaving: the state may lose a seat in Congress

Adoption does not guarantee obtaining US citizenship: what problems can arise

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.