New year brings in a number of new laws

As the New Year rings in, so does a number of new laws — some affecting drivers and vehicle owners, others concerning sink faucets, gay marriage and child pornography.

One of the new laws increases safety measures for all police, emergency, tow truck, and Caltrans vehicles and their workers.

The "Move Over/Slow Down" law requires motorists to slow down and, if safe, move to a lane not immediately adjacent to a stationary emergency vehicle that is using its flashing warning lights on the freeway or highway.

"This law will be invaluable in saving the lives of law enforcement and other emergency personnel in California," said California Highway Patrol Officer Philip Mackintosh.

Mackintosh said one of the primary killers of law enforcement personnel is being struck by a vehicle while an officer is attending to his duties on highways and freeways.

According to the federal Department of Transportation, more than 225 emergency responders have been killed after being struck by vehicles along the nations highways since 2003.

"Basically this law keeps people from running us over. We are very pleased to see this type of legislation enacted," Mackintosh said.

Violation of the provision carries a fine of not more than $50, but that does not include what can be much more severe court costs.

Other new laws taking effect this year:

Temporary Operating Permits

This law restricts DMV from issuing temporary operating permits to allow more time to obtain a smog certificate as part of the registration renewal process. Under the law, extensions will cost $50 and are only allowed if the vehicle has been tested at a smog station and failed. The extension can be for no more than 60 days from the date registration is due. The $50 fee will be waived for owners accepted into the Bureau of Automotive Repair Consumer Assistance Program.

Unlicensed Car Dealers

This new law allows law enforcement officers to impound vehicles that are being sold by unlicensed dealers.

Counterfeit Clean

Air Stickers

This new law will make it a crime to forge, counterfeit, or falsify a Clean Air Sticker. These stickers are currently issued by DMV to certain low emission vehicles and permit vehicles with these stickers to be driven in the High Occupancy Vehicle lane.

Text Messaging

This new law makes it an infraction to write, send, or read text—based communication on an electronic wireless communication device, such as a cell phone, while driving.

DUI Probation

License Suspension

A change in the driving under the influence (DUI) law creates a new authority for DMV to administratively suspend the driver's license for one year under a zero tolerance standard. The new law authorizes law enforcement to issue a notice of suspension and impound the vehicle of a person who is driving with a blood—alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or greater while on court—ordered post—DUI probation.

New Special Interest Plate

A new "Gold Star Family" special interest license will be available to family members of individuals killed in the line of duty while serving in the Armed Forces during wartime or military operations.

Special License Plates

This new law, when approved by local authorities, allows veterans whose vehicles display plates honoring Pearl Harbor Survivors, Legion of Valor recipients, former American Prisoners of War, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, or Purple Heart recipients to park their vehicles that weigh not more than 6,000 pounds gross weight, without charge, in any metered parking space.

Motorcycle Definition

This new law changes the definition of a motorcycle, deleting the existing weight limitation of 1,500 pounds. It also removes a separate definition for electrically—powered vehicles. This change in law will also allow drivers of fully—enclosed 3—wheeled motor vehicles to use the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.

Ignition Interlock

Devices (IID)

This new law reduces the blood alcohol level from .20 percent to .15 percent or more at the time of arrest to trigger a requirement for the court to give heightened consideration for the installation of an IID for a first—time offender convicted of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.

Ignition Interlock Devices

Effective July 2009, this new law transfers authority for the administration of mandatory IID programs from the state courts to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This law also authorizes the DMV to require any driver convicted of driving with a suspended license due to a prior conviction for DUI to install an IID in any vehicle that the offender owns or operates.

Fee Waiver Firefighting

This new law provides a vehicle fee waiver for Indian Tribes that have entered into mutual aid agreements for their firefighting vehicles.

Nonrepairable Certificate

This law authorizes insurance companies and salvage pools to request the DMV to issue a nonrepairable certificate, if they are unable to obtain the properly endorsed certificate of ownership or other evidence of ownership acceptable to the Department within 30 days following oral or written acceptance by the owner of an offer of an amount in settlement of a total loss.

Vehicle Parking Fees

This law prohibits a department or a processing agency from collecting outstanding parking fees and penalties from the registered owner of a vehicle if that owner was not the registered owner, lessee, or person in control of the vehicle when a parking citation was issued.

Online Voter Registration

This bill requires the Secretary of State to obtain the digitized signatures from the DMV for verifying online voter registration.

Harvey Milk Day

When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed off on this law, he instituted an official Harvey Milk Day on May 22, including a provision that encourages public schools to hold commemorative exercises that familiarize students with Harvey Milk's accomplishments and the contributions he made to California.

Recognition of

Same Sex Marriage

This law specifies that same sex marriages are recognized in California. The marriages must meet one of two qualifications: a) They must have been entered into legally during the period of time when California offered gay marriage; b) They must have taken place before Nov. 5, 2008 in a state that legally performs same sex marriage.

Additionally, any gay marriage taking place after that date in a state that legally performs it will also be recognized in California — affording the brides or grooms all the rights and responsibilities that come with a marriage — but the union will not legally be designated as marriage.

Lead-free Faucets

It is illegal to sell faucets (fittings and also replacement parts) in California that contain more than one—quarter percent of lead. Previously it was 8 percent. Homeowners may notice that it will be virtually impossible to purchase replacement parts for their current faucets and likely will have to incur the expense of a complete faucet exchange.

Child porn convicts

on Megan's Law

Anyone convicted of felony child pornography charges will soon see his (or her) name, photograph, physical description, address, and criminal history on the California Megan's Law Web site.