New Laws in 2015 That Every Californian Should Know
With the start of a New Year comes the enforcement of new laws. Lawmakers in California passed over 900 new laws that went into effect January 1, 2015. However, most of the time the general public is not aware of the new laws. So here are some selected new laws every Californian should know:
- (AB 60) – Driver’s License for Illegal Immigrants: The DMV must issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants who meet every other qualification, such as passing a written and driving tests. It is expected that 1.4 million people are to apply in the first three years.
- (SB 967) – “Yes Means Yes”: To receive funding from the State, colleges must only consider sex consensual if both parties actively agree to it and are not drunk or passed out. In addition, throwing out the old refrain of “no means no” and replacing it with “yes means yes.” California becomes the first state in the nation to use this rubric for sexual consent.
- (SB 838) – Audrie’s Law: Teenagers convicted of sexually assaulting someone who is unconscious or can’t give consent will face stiffer punishments. The punishment will now include mandatory sexual-offender treatment. The bill is named for Audrie Pott, a teenager who killed herself after photos surfaced of her sexual assault.
- (SB 1255) – “Selfie” Revenge Porn Rights: This law expands and already existing law that makes it a misdemeanor to distribute a naked picture of someone, often in an act of revenge, even if the photo was originally taken by the naked person.
- (SB 926) – Sex Abuse Rights: Children who claim they’re victims of a sex crime have until their 40th birthday to file charges. Previously the cutoff age was 28, however, the new age limit only applies only to crimes committed on or after January 1, 2015.
- (AB 1147) – Massage Parlor Oversight: Local governments get greater oversight of massage parlors. This is because massage parlors are known to have been used as a front for sex trafficking.
- (SB 505) – Gun Owner Welfare Check: Requires law enforcement agencies to encourage their officers to consult with gun ownership records when conducting welfare checks. This is something agents didn’t do before Isla Vista shooter Elliott Rodger killed six people in May of 2015.
If you have been accused of violating one of the new laws in 2015 or any other crime contact the Law Offices of Arash Hashemi. We provide you with experienced and aggressive counsel. Call us today at (310) 448-1529 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Our office is in the Westside Towers, within a mile of Santa Monica and Westwood. We have flexible office hours, and we will visit you in jail to discuss your case.
