Here are some of the new laws which went effect on January 1, 2009:
No-text Law
Writing, sending, or reading a “text-based communication” while driving will be against the law for all drivers in California. Violating this law is punishable by a base fine of for a first offense and for each subsequent offense. With the addition of penalty assessments, fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.
Mounting GPS on Windshield
You may now mount a GPS on the lower right or lower left part of your windshield so long as it does not interfere with any air bag device. In the past nothing could be mounted to your windshield.
Smoking with a minor in the Car
It is now an infraction to smoke a cigarette, cigar, or pipe in a car whether it is in motion or at rest if a minor child is in the car with you. This applies even if you are pulled over to the side of the road.
Definition of a motorcycle
Deleting the existing weight limitation of 1,500 pounds, removes a separate definition for electrically powered vehicles and will allow fully enclosed 3-wheeled motor vehicles to use the carpool lanes.
New DUI Laws — Zero tolerance
Any person who is on probation for a DUI convection cannot drive with a blood alcohol level of.01 percent.
Unlicensed car dealersLaw-enforcement officers can impound vehicles that are being sold by unlicensed dealers.
Temporary operating permits restricted
The DMV will restrict permits to allow more time to obtain a smog certificate.
Counterfeit Clean Air Stickers
It will be a crime to forge Clean Air Stickers, which are issued to low-emission vehicles and allow the vehicles with these stickers to be driven in carpool lanes.
Special interest license plates
Gold Star Family special interest license plates will be available to family members who have had family killed in the line of duty while serving in the Armed Forces during wartime or military operations.
Temporary employees
Wages for employees of temporary services employers shall be paid weekly or daily if the work less than 90 days.
Family and Medical Leave Act
Families who have members who are active in the military are eligible up to 12 weeks of leave if they meet the “qualifying exigencies: short notice deployment, attendance at official military events or activities, arranging or providing childcare, attending school or daycare meetings, handling financial and legal matters, and rest and recuperation visits when the soldier is on leave.”
I must caution you that this is only a partial list of new laws in California for 2009.
By California Motorcycle Accident Attorney and Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez, © 2009
Welcome, my name is 
Hey there, thanks for the information on the new laws and updates. I did not know the one about the smoking in the presence of a minor, although anyone who does that is pretty selfish to expose their child to their bad habit.
If that is a list of only some of the new laws just for California, how can anyone but a dedicated lawyer be expected to keep up on ALL the new laws everywhere?
Buzz Kanter
American Iron Magazine
http://www.aimag.com
Colorado is considering the no texting law as well. I’m surprised about the no smoking in a car with a minor.
Buzz those are just a few of the many new laws that became effective on Jan. 1, 2009. You want to talk law, go to your neighborhood law library sometime. It takes a lawyer to keep up is right!
Norm
Well Betty I was a long time smoker before quitting. My mom still smokes. I remember as a kid choking on my moms cigarette smoke and my dads cigar smoke. I had bad asthma as a kid and was always in the hospital. When I went into the Air Force it went away after I started smoking. Go figure.
We all know that smoking can cause numerous health issues, as well as second hand smoke. I guess this law is good for the minors. Now if I was still a smoker well……………
Norm
Thanks for such a nice information. It is a very good law that the person is not allowed to smoke in car if the minor is present in car it’s good for kids.
If only we all got paid daily!
Are you going to be doing a new Laws for 2011 for CA? I remember reading something about liens, but am not sure what else is supposed to change. On a side note- who would counterfeit Clean Air Stickers? That’s ridiculous!
I post the new laws every year!
Norm