No, really.
In case you're like me and don't generally watch the news, if you live in Cali, a slew of new laws went into effect yesterday (910 according to the LA Times).
The ones (possibly) worth mentioning:
- College administrators may not censor college newspapers.
- Landlords must give 60 days' notice of eviction to tenants who have been renting from them for at least a year and are not at fault for eviction.
- It's illegal to leave an animal in an unattended vehicle, endangered by cold or heat.
- Human eggs and embryos may not be sold for medical research.
- It's illegal to tie a dog to a stationary object for more than three hours a day.
- Drivers must slow or change lanes for emergency vehicles stopped along freeways.
- All contacts require a prescription, including those that change eye color.
- Electronic voting machines in California must use paper of sufficient quality that ballots are readable at least 22 months after an election.
- It costs $23 to register with the secretary of state as domestic partners, with the fee devoted to countering domestic abuse among gays.
- Bags of cat litter sold in the state must include a message asking people not to dispose of the litter in toilets, gutters or storm drains. An organism in cat feces kills sea otters.
- All cigarettes sold must be self-extinguishing.
- Electronic versions of a person's wishes regarding resuscitation and life support are legally valid.
- People served with restraining orders must immediately relinquish their guns.
- Long-term power sellers to utilities must meet new greenhouse gas emission standards.
- The state can issue 10,000 more decals to hybrid vehicle owners so they may use carpool lanes.
- Penalties increase for repeat identity thieves and those possessing data on 10 or more people with intent to defraud.
- City and county workers who enforce illegal dumping laws have the power to arrest people.
- Landlords who fail to remedy lead hazards face tougher penalties.