New California Laws 2017

Concussion Protections Extended To Younger Athletes

January 4, 2017

The new year will bring new concussion protocols for children of all ages who participate in sports.

New Law Prevents Most Employers From Checking Juvenile Criminal Histories

January 3, 2017 | Bob Moffitt

After Jan. 1, 2017, most California employers will no longer be able to ask minors for their juvenile criminal histories as part of the hiring process.

New Law: Showers For Homeless Community College Students

January 3, 2017 | Steve Milne

A new state law requires California community colleges with shower facilities to let homeless students use those showers. Previously, some campuses required students to be enrolled in physical education classes.

State Government

Californians Not Liable For Saving Animals Trapped In Hot Cars

December 30, 2016 | Amy Quinton

A new law in 2017 could help save animals trapped in hot unattended vehicles.

New Transportation-Related Laws To Know Before Hitting The Road Starting In 2017

December 30, 2016 | Vu Chau

California Department of Motor Vehicles wants you know about these transportation-related laws before taking your vehicles on the roads starting this New Year's Day.

State Government

The One California Tax Rate Dropping In 2017

December 30, 2016 | Ben Adler

California’s sales tax will drop by a quarter of a percent in the new year. The reduction comes from the partial expiration of a statewide ballot measure that helped end California’s budget crisis.

First Provision Of Farm Worker Overtime Law To Take Effect On Jan. 1

December 29, 2016 | Julia Mitric

A hotly contested law to phase in new overtime pay for farm workers got lots of buzz when Governor Jerry Brown signed it into law earlier this year. That "phase in" won't begin until 2019 but one provision goes into effect on the first of January.

State Government

New California Law: Keep Your Hands Off Your Smartphone While Driving

December 28, 2016 | Chris Nichols

Starting Jan. 1, drivers in California will be banned from operating their smartphone –- unless it’s mounted to a dashboard or windshield –- and can be activated with one finger tap or swipe.

New Law Aims To Reduce Foreclosure Risk For Surviving Family Members

December 28, 2016 | Julia Mitric

When a homeowner dies and the surviving spouse's name is not on the mortgage, foreclosure can be a risk. A new state law going into effect Jan. 1 attempts to mitigate that risk.

Health Care

New Law Requires Jail Time For People Convicted Of Sexual Assault

December 28, 2016 | Ja'Nel Johnson

California lawmakers passed new sexual assault laws after a Stanford student served three months in jail for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman.