The new year begins with many changes for Californians due to several controversial laws that will go into effect in 2023. Voz Media put together a list of some of these new laws that will affect the lives of Californians.
Rap lyrics
One controversial bill that will be enacted is AB 2799, which will limit the use of rap lyrics in criminal court cases.
In the event that any "form of creative expression" is to be used as evidence, a hearing must be held before the trial and away from the jury to determine whether it has any relevance to the case.
Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) and Songwriters of North America (SONA) joined California Governor Gavin Newsom for the signing of AB 2799 – The Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act authored by Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer pic.twitter.com/uprZMy39Qw
— Music Connection (@musicconnection) September 30, 2022
Minimum wage
Effective Jan. 1, SB 3 will also increase the minimum wage by 50 cents to $15.50 per hour for companies with 25 or more employees, a 3.33% increase.
Catalytic converters
California hopes to bring down its rising cases of theft with SB 1087 and AB 1740, both of which define who may buy and sell catalytic converters.
Under SB 1087, only licensed auto dismantlers may purchase catalytic converters and AB 1740 mandates that any person accepting these converters must keep a record of the entire transaction.
Today, I presented SB 1087 to address the dramatic rise in catalytic converter theft in California’s communities by targeting black-market sales of detached catalytic converters.
Learn more about my bill here:
⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/nIhaUhAGZr pic.twitter.com/gOX6H3Q3o6— Senator Lena Gonzalez (@SenGonzalez33) April 4, 2022
Abortion
Another law that has caused much controversy is SB 1375, which will allow nurse practitioners to perform abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy without any medical supervision.
Criminal records
SB 731 will allow the conviction and/or arrest records of more than 200,000 Californians to be automatically sealed once an offender completes his or her sentence and spends four years without another charge. This would not apply to those convicted of felonies.
It is important to note that, unlike previous laws, this one takes effect on July 1 of this year.
Jaywalking
By 2023, AB 2147 will prohibit police officers from stopping pedestrians who commit certain violations such as crossing the street outside of a crosswalk unless they cause a hazard in the street.
AB 2147: Decriminalizing Jaywalking Because of Racism
Called the “Freedom to Walk Act,” it presumes jaywalking is a racist crime because it is supposedly enforced unevenly—in California—in “communities of color” where people supposedly cannot afford to pay the fines.
— Julia 🇺🇸 (@Jules31415) January 1, 2023
Previously in California, the fine for crossing streets outside of intersections ranged from $25 to $250 per violation.
Information about COVID-19
Under AB 2098, physicians could face disciplinary action if they disseminate false information about the COVID virus, including data on the efficacy of vaccines and other treatments.
