A variety of new laws took effect in California as of January 1, 2011. These include:
- Marijuana - Under SB 1449, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is now classified as an infraction - like a parking ticket. It still comes with a $100 fine but cannot be included on someone's criminal record.
- Motorcycles - People under the age of 21 who want to obtain an instruction permit must first complete a motorcycle safety course. The permit must than be held for six months before a class M motorcycle license is issued.
- Impersonating someone online - SB 1411updates California's laws regarding impersonation to take into account activity on the internet. It is now a misdemeanor to harm, intimidate, threaten, or defraud a person while impersonating someone else through email or a social networking site.
- Truancy - SB 1317 allows law enforcement agencies to file misdemeanor charges against parents of truant elementary school children if it's determined that the parents did not reasonably supervise their children and encourage them to attend school.
