New year brings new laws

Thousand Oaks Acorn

Gov. Jerry Brown signed 876 state Senate and Assembly bills into law during 2012, most of which go into effect Jan. 1. The new laws affect traffic rules, the conducting of business in California, health and safety, criminal violations and many other issues. The bills are listed on California’s official legislative information website, http:// leginfo.ca.gov. What follows is an overview of some of the most notable laws that take effect in the new year: ‘Good Samaritan’ overdose protection; Current California laws make the unauthorized use, possession and sale of certain controlled substances illegal. But Assembly Bill 472, written by Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), allows those who witness a drug-related overdose to seek emergency assistance without fear of arrest for minor drug violations.

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