Daily Business Report — Dec. 30, 2011
New California Laws for 2012
Booster Seat
The new California Booster Seat Law outlaws parents, guardians, or drivers from transporting on a highway in a motor vehicle any child under 8 years old without securing that child in an appropriate child restraint meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards. The new California law does contain a provision, however, that a child under 8 years of age who is 4-foot-9 inches in height or taller may use a safety belt rather than a child safety seat or booster seat. Law effective January 1, 2012.
Employment Credit Check Law
Employers can no longer request credit reports for Californians unless they are working or seeking work in a financial institution, law enforcement or the state Justice Department. The law also exempts anyone who (1) has access to people’s bank or credit card account information, SSN number and date of birth, (2) has access to an employer’s proprietary information or trade secrets, (3) signs a check, credit card, financial contract, or transfers money for an employer, (4) has access to more than $10,000 cash, or (5) is a manager in “certain industries.”
California Handgun Open Carry Law
Open-carry citizen handgun ban. Supported by cops who cannot tell whether openly carried weapons are loaded or not. Violators pay $1,000 plus six months in jail (misdemeanor). Gun rights advocates vow to carry rifles and shotguns instead. Californians can still get permits for concealed weapons, though it is increasingly difficult. Law effective Jan..
California Human Trafficking Law
Enforces mandatory disclosure of efforts that companies take to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their entire supply chains. Being watched as a prototype of future legislation in other states and nations. Effective Jan. 1.
California Gay Bullying Law (Seth’s Law)
Combats bullying of gay and lesbian students in public schools by requiring school districts to have a uniform process for dealing with gay bullying complaints. Mandates that school personnel intervene if they witness gay bullying. Effective July 1.
LGBT Equality and Equal Access in Higher Education Law
State universities and colleges must create and enforce campus policies protecting LGBTs from harassment and appoint employee contact persons to address on-campus LGBT matters. The law includes community colleges statewide. Law effective 2012.
Domestic Partnership Equality Law
Corrects inequalities between domestic partnerships and heterosexual marriages, including domestic partner health benefits sharing. Law effective 2012.
Protection of Parent-Child Relationships Law
Allows courts to consider the relationship between a child and a non-biological parent when considering child rights cases involving birth parents, adoptive parents, and gay or lesbian guardians. Law effective 2012.
Transgender Non-Discrimination Law
Provides public accommodation and protection in education, housing and employment for gender identity and expression. Law effective 2012.
Transgender Vital Statistics Law
Makes it easier for transgender Californians to get a court petition to change their gender on official documents. Law effective 2012.
LGBT Equal Benefits Law
Requires an employer with a state contract worth more than $100,000 to have non-discrimination policies in place for LGBT workers and their partners. Law effective 2012.
Judicial Applicant and Appointment Demographics Inclusion Law
Includes gender identity and sexual orientation of potential judges into the state’s Judicial Applicant Data Report to ensure that state courts are diverse. Law effective 2012.
Gay Divorce Law
Provides that if a gay couple got married in California but lives in a state that won’t grant them a divorce, the California court will have jurisdiction to grant them a legal divorce. The case will be filed in the county where the gay couple got married. Effective Jan. 1.
California Gay History Law
Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Gay History Law, which mandates that school textbooks and social studies include gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender accomplishments. Effective Jan. 1.
Internet Sales Tax
Governor Brown signed into law that out-of-state Internet retailers must collect California sales tax on transactions if the retailer has a presence in the state. Effective summer 2012.
California Renters Right to Recycling Law
Apartment building landlords will have to start providing recycling services for 7 million California tenants. Law effective 2012.
California Reader Privacy Law
Government and third-party snoops can no longer gather information on Internet users’ reading, book shopping or ebook using habits without a legal court order.
Cowett Appointed to California Law Revision Commission
Patricia Cowett, 64, of San Diego, has been appointed to the California Law Revision Commission by Gov. Brown. Cowett has been a mediator at Alternative Dispute Resolution Services Inc. since 2009. She served as a judge for the San Diego Superior Court from 1998 to 2008. She served as a judge for the San Diego Municipal Court from 1979 to 1998, and was presiding judge in 1991. She received her law degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. The position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $50 per diem. Cowett is a Democrat.
Business Solutions Academy Classes in January
The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, has launched a “Business Solutions Academy” featuring a series of professional development educational classes planned for 2012 and designed to assist business owners in the East County. Two classes are scheduled for January, both of them from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Chamber offices, 201 S. Magnolia Ave. in El Cajon. “New Year, New Attitudes,” a class on how to improve attitudes in the workforce and how attitudes can affect customer service, company image, productivity and employee retention, will be held on Jan. 18. “Customer Care Essentials,” a class on exceeding customer expectations, dealing with challenging customers and managing customer feedback, will be held on Jan. 25. Cost to attend each class is $45 per person for chamber members, $60 per person for nonmembers. For registration information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at eastcountychamer.org or (619) 440-6161.
Ad Club Program to Focus on Brand Value
The San Diego Advertising Club will present “It’s Good To Be Good,” a program that will feature four nationally recognized advertising industry leaders, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the University Club on the 34th floor of Symphony Towers, 750 B St., in Downtown San Diego. The public is invited to attend. Speaking will be: Richard Demato, CEO of Common, a Los Angeles-based consulting firm; Simon Mainwaring, founder of We First, a social branding consulting firm based in Santa Monica; Dan Burrier, chief innovation officer for the Ogilvy & Mather West office in Los Angeles; and, Alex Bogusky, co-founder of Crispin Porter + Bogusky and a member of the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement. The discussion topics will include a new paradigm for measuring brand value in light of social issues, and whether the advertising industry has an obligation to push towards notable positive social impact, including a sense of well being and quality of life. Cost to attend is $35 per person for Ad Club members, $45 for nonmembers and $25 for students, including members of Ad 2, a networking group for young advertising and marketing professionals. For more information, visit sandiegoadclub.com or phone (619) 255-2281.
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of small business workshops. For more information, call (619) 557-7272 or visit score-sandiego.org.
Upcoming SCORE San Diego Workshops:
• Jan. 5 – Financing Your Business – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego, 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• Jan. 6 – Insurance – What You Need to Know – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• Jan. 7 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearney Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Jan. 7 – Internet Marketing 101 – Use the Internet to Successfully Market Your Business – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Jan. 9 – Restaurant 101 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at National University – Kearney Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• Jan. 10 – Tax Considerations for Small Business – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego, 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865.