Happy New Year reader!  There are over 1,200 new laws set to go into affect in California in 2020.

Here are ten that  we thought you might like to know about.

AB 375: Data privacy for consumers

Passed in 2018. Introduced by Asm. Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park).

The state’s sweeping new consumer data privacy law gives Californians the right to learn what companies like Facebook and Google know about them — and to stop the sharing or selling of their data. They will also be able to sue over data breaches if companies fail to adequately protect their data.

Health coverage for undocumented young adults

Passed in 2019.

Expands Medi-Cal coverage to income-eligible undocumented young adults ages 19-25.

Health insurance mandate

Passed in 2019.

Californians who go without health insurance in 2020 will have to pay a penalty on their 2021 tax returns, under a new state-imposed mandate. Gov. Newsom has proposed using revenue from this mandate to fund premium assistance for low and middle income Covered California enrollees.

Students can’t be suspended

Senate Bill No. 419

CHAPTER 279

Students up to fifth grade can’t be suspended for disrupting school activities or willful defiance, effective with the school year that begins in August. Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders will also be protected from such suspensions for the next five years.

AB 602: Deepfake pornography

Passed in 2019. Introduced by Asm. Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto).

Allows a victim of nonconsensual deepfake pornography to sue for damages.

AB 218: Statute of limitations: Childhood sexual abuse

Passed in 2019. Introduced by Asm. Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego).

Extends statute of limitations for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse to report their abusers from age 26 to age 40.

SB 310: Felons serving on juries

Passed in 2019. Introduced by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley).

Convicted felons who have completed their sentences, parole, probation and supervision will no longer be disqualified from serving as jurors.

SB 8: Smoking ban: State parks and beaches

Passed in 2019. Introduced by Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda).

Bans smoking at state parks and beaches. It comes with a caveat: people can still smoke on paved surfaces like parking lots.

AB 619: Reusable food containers

Passed in 2019. Introduced by Asm. David Chiu (D-San Francisco).

Allows restaurant customers to bring — and eat with/from — their own food containers and silverware. It also allows food vendors at fairs, festivals, and farmers markets to use reusable items, which has been against the code until now.

AB 205: Definition of ‘beer’

Passed in 2019. Introduced by Asm. Tom Daly (D-Anaheim).

Expands the definition of beer to include alcoholic beverages fermented with fruit, honey, herbs and other newly approved ingredients.

There you have it!