More New Laws for 2017

Overview: This Law Review highlights more of California’s 898 new laws for 2017, seems like some kind of record.  Learn about ballot selfies, date rape drugs, cell phones when driving, child safety seats and much more, boring but it is the law.

Here are a handful of the 898 new laws passed for 2017.  I promise I won’t write about all of them.

• Ballot Selfies:  In my mind, one of the more stupid things a voter can do is take a selfie of his/her ballot and send it out to the world; however stupid acts deserve stupid laws, thus Assembly Bill 1494, in response to an ACLU lawsuit, now allows all of you crazies to snap pictures of your filled-out ballot and post it wherever you like.  Really?
• Date Rape Drugs:  In response to Prop 47’s downgrading many drug possession charges to misdemeanors, Senate Bill 1182 allows prosecutors to pursue felony charges for people who possess drugs like ketamine, GHB and flunitrazepam if it’s proved there’s an intent to commit a sexual assault.  Date rape druggers deserve prison sentences.
• Gun Loans:  There’s a pile of new laws regarding guns and gun safety, including AB 1511 which outlaws most gun loans with exceptions for hunting guides and loans to some family members.  More on gun laws and how to buy and sell guns in California in future columns.
• Wireless While Driving:  DMV statistics reveal hundreds of injuries and at least 12 deadly crashes in 2016 from distracted driving with hand-held cell phones.  Existing law prohibits using electronic wireless communications in vehicles unless it’s hands-free.  Much touted AB 1785 authorizes a driver to operate a hand-held wireless phone or communications device with the motion of only a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger provided the device is mounted on the vehicle’s dashboard or center console such that it does not hinder the driver’s view of the road.  (Section 23123.5 of the Vehicle Code.)  And by the way, if you send or receive a text and take your eyes off the road for five seconds at 55 miles per hour, that’s the length of a football field.  Don’t do it.
• Right-to-Try a Drug:  AB 1668 is aimed at Californians who are on the verge of death and running out of options.  It allows drug manufacturers to make available treatments that have not been fully approved by the FDA with certain restrictions including approval from two different physicians.
• Child Safety Seats:  AB 53 now requires kids under the age of two to be fastened into rear-facing child safety seats; however, there’s an exception for kids who weigh 40 pounds or are at least 40 inches tall.  Children under the age of eight must ride in the back seat.
• Same Day Voter Registration:  California is forever trying to make it easier to vote, so now we can register to vote on Election Day at county election headquarters.  Current law cuts off registration 15 days before Election Day.

Jim Porter is an attorney with Porter Simon licensed in California and Nevada, with offices in Truckee and Tahoe City, California, and Reno, Nevada.  Jim’s practice areas include:  real eState, development, construction, business, HOA’s, contracts, personal injury, accidents, mediation and other transactional matters.  He may be reached at porter@portersimon.com or www.portersimon.com.  

Like us on Facebook.    ©2017

The content contained and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author. This blog contains content and opinions concerning the law generally, and is not intended to constitute legal advice or to create any attorney‑client relationship with the reader. The reader should consult with an attorney about any specific legal issues prior to embarking on any course of action or inaction involving legal matters.