California, January 01, 2012 Brings New Legislation

1. SB 48 (Mark Leno-) Public schools must include positive history lessons on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Unfortunately opponents are gathering signatures for a ballot initiative to repeal the law or allow parents to remove children from classes that include gay history lessons. Art of the idea is that if children learn about positive role models in the LGBT community, they may be less inclined to stereotype or bully others. Opponents ought to realize that this is not teaching people about being gay, but rather educating about gay historical or popular figures.
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2. Among other laws to take effect is the first part of the Dream Act, AB 130, by Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles. The legislation allows undocumented students to receive financial aid for college from private donations. AB130 becomes law Jan. 1 and will let those who entered illegallyto receive private financial aid at California’s public colleges.
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3. Children under 8 years old and under 4-foot-9-inches must now be restrained in a safety seat while in a moving car. Seatbelts are made for adults and smaller children slip out of them and are ejected from vehicles in accidents.
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4. California will be the first state to make it illegal for anyone younger than 18 to use tanning beds, under SB746 by Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance
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5. Agriculture employers found to have violated union election rules will face tougher sanctions under a law authored by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento.
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6. California is joining Hawaii, Washington, Oregon and Guam in banning the sale, trade and possession of shark fins.
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7. Children as young as 12 can be vaccinated without their parents’ consent against human papillomavirus, known as HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer.
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8. Caffeinated beer products will be banned after several high-profile incidents in which college students drank too much of the beverages and had to be hospitalized.