New Laws of 2012 - update from Senator Ted Gaines

January 1st marks the New Year and also the day that hundreds of new California laws go into effect whether we like them or not. In addition to my two bills (Senate Bill 593 & 751) that I detailed in the special edition of the Gaines Gazette, I wanted to give you a glimpse of what’s in store for the state. Some are practical and logical while others are ridiculous. Here are just a few of the new bills that became law on January 1:
Senate Bill 48 (Leno-D): Public schools must now include positive lessons on the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community and their contributions, as well as Native Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders and people with disabilities.

Assembly Bill 130 (Cedillo-D): The first half of the California DREAM Act goes into effect, qualifying undocumented students attending California’s public institutions of higher education for privately funded financial aid.

Assembly Bill 144 (Portantino-D): It is now a misdemeanor to carry an exposed and unloaded handgun while in any public place

Assembly Bill 183 (Ma-D): Alcohol joins the list of items banned from purchase at self-checkout stands (which also includes cigarettes and spray paint), a measure to combat underage drinking.

Senate Bill 746 (Lieu-D): Tanning beds are now barred to anyone under 18.

Assembly Bill 376 (Fong-D): The sale and possession of shark fins is now illegal except in permitted scientific and commercial purposes. Restaurants, however, can possess and sell shark fins purchased before Jan. 12, 2012 until Jan. 1, 2013.

Senate Bill 929 (Evans-D): The California Vehicle Code now requires children up to 8 years old and under four-foot-nine to use a child safety seat while riding in a car, an increase of the previous requirement of six years of age.

Senate Bill 161 (Huff-R): California-trained non-medical school employees can now provide emergency assistance to students with epilepsy experiencing a seizure.