Recently, several new laws have been enacted in the state that will likely affect most citizens one way or another. Many of these laws were passed with the intention of protecting consumers, though not all of them. Learn more about some of them below.
SB 244
Your right to repair is enshrined in law now thanks to SB 244. Manufacturers are now required to provide repair shops and consumers with tools, spare parts, and the technical knowledge necessary to be able to fix various appliances and gadgets. The law is intended to make it cheaper and easier to repair electronics rather than having to buy a new one.
SB 478
If you’ve ever tried to buy something online only to see the cost you pay skyrocket once you get to the checkout, you’ll probably be happy about SB 478. It is now illegal in California for a business to advertise the price of an item without including any hidden fees they intend to add before the purchase is complete.
AB 537
In the same vein as SB 478, AB 537 requires short-term rentals (such as hotels, motels, Air B&B, etc.) to include any additional fees, such as cleaning fees, as part of the total cost of the rental rather than as a separate cost that is only included when trying to complete the purchase.
AB 12
Security deposits for rentals are now prohibited from exceeding one month’s rent. Any contracts that existed prior to the law being implemented are unaffected. The law is intended to help ease the up front costs of renting someplace to live. Landlords will still be able to legally go after tenants who do damage to the property exceeding what the security deposit covers.
AB 1013
AB 1013 is aimed at curbing date rapes. Under the new law, bars and other businesses that sell alcohol for consumption on site are required to provide rape drug test kits either for free or for purchase. Customers can then test their drinks to ensure that nobody spiked them with roofies or other date rape drugs.
These are only a handful of the new laws taking effect this month. Stay tuned for the next batch!
