Six New Laws That May Change Your Life
Every year, hundreds of bills become law, from the inane to the outrageous. Among those countless measures that seemingly have no effect on our being, here are 6 that may very well change lives, for better or worse.
1. Same Sex Marriage
In a long-sought victory for the gay rights movement, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5-to-4 vote on June 26, 2015 that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. Outside the Supreme Court, the police allowed hundreds of people waving rainbow flags and holding signs to advance onto the court plaza as those present for the decision streamed down the steps.
“Love has won,” the crowd chanted as courtroom witnesses threw up their arms in victory.
2. Banned the Box
Following years of organizing by formerly-incarcerated people and their families, President Barack Obama announced on Nov 2, 2015 that, henceforth, he will instruct some federal employers to “ban the box”—or delay inquiries into a job applicant’s incarceration history to curb discrimination and stigma.
(AB 218)
3. (Un)Documented Drivers
California residents who are living without documentation soon will be eligible to apply for driver’s licenses, thanks to Assembly Bill 60.
The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles is expecting 1.6 million immigrants to apply in the first few years, and law enforcement, community groups and others are preparing for the surge.
(AB 60)
4. Yes Means Yes
California has created a standard that requires affirmative consent — affirmative, conscious and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity — throughout the encounter, removing ambiguity for both parties. The law protects both partners by ensuring a mutual understanding. A person who is incapacitated by drugs or alcohol cannot give consent. And California colleges are being held more accountable for prevention, evaluation and a consistent protocol surrounding sexual assault.
(SB 695)
5. Mandatory Vaccinations
Starting July 1, 2016, all children enrolled in public or private schools or day cares must be vaccinated against whooping cough, measles and other diseases, regardless of parents’ religious and other personal beliefs. Children with specific medical conditions, such as immune system deficiencies, may be exempt if they have a doctor’s note.
(SB 277)
6. BMMR (Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation)
It took nearly two decades and the threat of a more sweeping initiative, but California lawmakers are finally ready to regulate medical marijuana.
The last-minute, bipartisan deal was announced September 10, 2015 in Sacramento, after years of disagreements between key stakeholders over details of a regulatory structure — and weeks of squabbling between the Senate and Assembly over who would take credit for the final legislation.