With the start of a new year comes over 1,200 new California laws that affect everything from education to healthcare to law enforcement.
Vaccines
in the midst of a resurgence of measles cases in California, parents who disagree with mandatory vaccinations took their protest to the state capitol last fall.
But a new law now makes it more difficult for students to receive an exemption.
Doctors who write more than five exemptions in a year will face review by state health officials.
Health insurance
California residents must have health insurance, otherwise they face a fine.
That provision is much like the part of the federal Affordable Care Act that was nixed by the Trump administration.
Penalties kick in after taxes are filed in April 2021.
Microbeads
Sale of products containing microbeads, which are the little particles in face washes and toothpaste, are now banned in California.
Legislators say the tiny plastics pollute waterways.
School suspension
Starting in August, students in kindergarten through 5th grade no longer face suspension for disrupting class or willful defiance.
Supporters of the law argued suspending children at such a young age does more harm than good and ignores the potential root causes of the bad behavior.
Students in grades 6 through 8 will be included by 2025.
Sex offenses
The civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse allegations has been extended by 14 more years.
The change means victims up to age 40 can file suit.
For-Profit Prisons
With the new year comes no new contracts to use private for-profit prisons in California.
Though prison corporations are suing to block the law, the new legislation means no for-profit prisons may operate in California by 2028.
Police use of force
The California Act to Save Lives limits the use of deadly force by law enforcement.
Police can now only use deadly force when it's "necessary" instead of the previous standard of "reasonable."
