Archive for the ‘California’ tag
Demi Moore 911 Call Leads to Privacy Bill in California
Spurred to action by the release of a 911 call about actress Demi Moore, California Assemblywoman Norma Torres (D-Pomona) has introduced a bill that would prohibit authorities from releasing the medical or any personally identifying information in such emergency phone calls. Current California law prohibits the release of personal details, but AB 1275 is written [...]
Amazon Ending Affiliate Agreements with California Residents Over New Sales Tax
A California law set to take effect July 1 will require retailers like Amazon with presences in California to charge sales tax on purchases made by state residents. One way that “presence” would be established is through popular affiliate programs through which companies pay out commissions for customer referrals; the other is if the company [...]
California’s “Do Not Track” Bill Clears First Hurdle
California is currently weighing legislation that would require websites to gain user permission before collecting data through cookies in what is believed to be the country’s first “Do Not Track” bill. SB 761 was introduced by Senator Alan Lowenthal (D – 27th District) and is sponsored by Consumer Watchdog, a California-based advocacy group. It passed [...]
Jackie Cooper’s Poison Pill Clause
Former “Superman” actor and big screen legend Jackie Cooper didn’t want anyone in his family waging a battle over his last will and testament, so he put in what’s often called a “poison pill” clause. What’s a poison pill clause? The proper legal term is a “no contest clause,” and its purpose is to discourage [...]
Williams-Sonoma Must Stop Asking Customers for Zip Code in California
The California Supreme Court has ruled that Williams-Sonoma, and accordingly other retailers in the state, cannot ask for a customer’s zip code when handling an in-store credit card transaction. According to the decision, one’s zip code is considered “personal identification information” under the Song-Beverly Credit Card Act of 1971 — precisely the kind of information [...]
P2P Car Sharing Won’t Invalidate Insurance in California
A new law that allows car owners to rent out their vehicles without invalidating their insurance policies recently went into effect in California. The change means that so-called “peer-to-peer” or P2P car sharing has become easier for those who would like to participate. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill last September, but before January 1 [...]
California Seeks to Ban Violent Video Game Sales to Minors
A California gaming law that would ban the sale of violent video games to minors is currently before the Supreme Court, and 11 states now stand with the Golden State in support. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the law in 2005, and it was immediately challenged by groups such as the Entertainment Software Association and Entertainment [...]
Health Insurance Woes for Small Businesses in California and Beyond
Although the ink is barely dry on the health care reform law intended to help all Americans afford health insurance, the Los Angeles Times reports that small businesses in California are starting to see their health insurance costs rise, making a full economic recovery in the state even less likely. This is because a handful [...]
Proposed California Law Would Limit Sex Offenders’ Internet Use
Some California legislators are trying to push through a law that would prohibit convicted child molesters out on parole from frequenting social media sites such as Facebook; if passed, a violation of the law could throw the offenders right back into prison. There are strong arguments on both sides of this issue. On the one [...]
Proposed Chelsea’s Law Close to Passage in California
California Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher’s fight for harsher penalties for violent child molesters is coming closer to fruition as Chelsea’s Law has passed unanimously through the Assembly Public Safety Commission and has also received a strong push from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The proposed law is named for Chelsea King, 17, who was raped and strangled while [...]
