New California Laws in Effect for 2016

With each New Year, new laws go into effect. Here are a few new regulations going into effect in California for 2016:

• Drivers and cyclists will no longer be allowed to wear earbuds, earphones, or headsets in both ears while driving a vehicle or riding a bicycle.
• The Ignition Interlock Device (IID) pilot project has been extended to July 1, 2017, for Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare counties. The IID pilot project requires a person convicted of a DUI to install an IID for five months upon a first offense, 12 months for a second offense, 24 months for a third offense, and 36 months for a fourth or subsequent offense.
• Electric skateboard riders must be at least 16 years old, are required to wear helmets, and cannot ride faster than 35 mph on roads. In addition, riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
• State emergency alert systems will broadcast “Yellow Alerts” (similar to Amber Alerts for child abduction) to locate hit-and-run drivers in accidents that result in death or major injuries.
• Stricter laws regarding school mandated vaccinations will take effect mid-2016. Vaccine exemptions for children due to religious or personal beliefs will no longer be allowed. Only children with serious health problems will be allowed to opt out of the vaccinations.
• The criteria for California’s traffic amnesty program are being amended. A person is eligible for the traffic amnesty program if he or she has not made any payments after September 30, 2015, to a collection program for fines or bail already due. The law also indicates that payment of bail, fines, penalties, fees, or a civil assessment is not required in order for the court to remove the civil assessment of up to $300 against any defendant who fails, after notice and without good cause, to appear in court.
• Automatic voter registration will occur for qualified individuals who apply for a driver’s license or identification card, or submit a change of address to the DMV.
• Slow moving vehicles and bicycles will be required to pull over safely to let traffic pass.
• Under a new bill, law enforcement will need to obtain search warrants before they can gain access to or seize emails, text messages, Internet search history, and other digital data.

A list of all bills slated to take effect in 2016 is available on the State of CA Legislative Counsel website. What new laws are going into effect in your state? Share them with us in our comments below. Stay up on trending news by following BCA on Facebook and Twitter.

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