Increased Living Wage, Other New July 1 Laws in Santa Cruz County

With July 1 just around the corner, a handful of new laws will be in effect in Santa Cruz County. From increased living wages to new bullying standards for schools to follow, changes are ahead for Californians. To make sure that you don’t get caught by surprise when a new law is enforced, read about the new laws below.

California-wide

AB 9, authored by Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), requires schools to implement bullying complaint procedures and alternative discipline policies for bullying.

AB 69, authored by Jim Beall (D-San Jose), grants counties access to the Social Security Administration to determine seniors who are eligible to receive food stamps.

AB 300, authored by Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), imposes minimum standards for sterilizing, sanitizing and maintaining safety at body piercing, tattoo and permanent cosmetic businesses.

AB 341, authored by Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata), requires recycling for businesses and apartment buildings of more than four units that have more than four cubic years of waste per week.

AB 959, authored by Brian Jones (R-Santee), allows welfare and food stamp recipients an extra month to file quarterly reports.

AB 1156, authored by Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park), revises the definition of bullying, gives bullied victims priority for transferring schools and requires bullying-prevention training.

AB 1215, authored by Bob Blumenfield (D-Woodland Hills), mandates used vehicle dealers to participate in a program for flagging salvaged and junk as well as raises the maximum document-processing fee for vehicles.

AB 1424, authored by Henry Perea (D-Fresno), mandates that the state suspend licenses from the state’s highest tax delinquents.

SB 190, authored by Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), changes the enforcement of mechanics liens and requires a person to forfeit his lien if he includes labor of materials in a claim. 

SB 222, authored by Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and Elaine Alquist (D-Santa Clara), ensures that all women receive maternity coverage regardless of their health insurance policies.

SB 424, authored by Michael Rubio (D-Bakersfield), authorizes a design professional to convert a lien assuming that certain requirements are satisfied.

SB 510, authored by Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), authorizes a broker to appoint a manager of a branch office and delegate supervising responsibility to him.

SB 841, authored by Lois Wolk (D-Davis), imposes indemnity obligations on local agencies that fail to obtain approval.

Santa Cruz County

Resolution No. 95-2012 sets the living wage at $14.26 per hour for employees receiving benefits from the private sector living wage program and at $15.55 per hour for employees not receiving benefits.

Do you know of other laws effective July 1? Let us know about them in the comments section below.