2010 Consumer Laws coming soon!

2009 CONSUMER LAWS

Effective January 1, 2009, unless noted

1. Autos: DMV to register cars with unpaid tickets
2. Autos: Selling cars without a dealer’s license prohibited
3. Autos: Smoking in cars with children inside prohibited
4. Autos: Repairs “capping” prohibited
5. Autos: Texting and driving not OK
6. Auto: Zero tolerance for drunk drivers on probation
7. Credit cards: Banks limited on changing original fees
8. Discrimination: Definition expanded from “citizen” to “resident”
9. Do-Not-Call List: Clearer disclosures on mailings
10. Elder abuse: Assisted-living homes must report abuse
11. Food labeling: Restaurant to tell nutritional value
12. Government-look-alike businesses
13. Landlords & Tenants: Domestic violence victims
14. Landlords & Tenants: Renters in Los Angeles get foreclosure moratorium
15. Pawnbrokers: Higher fees allowed
16. Phone cards: Faster refunds, better disclosures
17. Phone cards: PUC to enforce violations
18. Recalled goods: Can’t sell them in California
19. Slamming: Electronic signature enough to change service
20. Solar companies: Better disclosures for consumers
21. Sweepstakes companies: Statements must be truthful
22. Taxicabs: Unlicensed operators can get phones disconnected
23. Wages: Deductions for immigration costs prohibited
24. Wages: Releases on wages due prohibited

  Health Care & Insurance  

1. Medical care: Complaints to be reported to Insurance Commissioner
2. Medical care: Life-sustaining treatment new form
3. Medical care: Patients to get end-of-life information
4. Medical insurance: “Balance billing” prohibited
5. Medical insurance: Coverage for customers under the influence
6. Medical insurance: Emergency room charges limited
7. Medical insurance: Employees can’t be paid for canceling policies
8. Medical insurance: HIV pre-screening testing covered
9. Medical insurance: Relatives keep coverage
10. Medical insurance: Seniors protected against deceptive salespeople
11. Medicare: Deceptive practices prohibited
12. Mental health: Greater coverage
13. Mental health: Veterans’ coverage expanded

 Identity Theft  

1. Privacy: Can’t use radio waves to steal information
2. Credit reports: Security freezes cheaper, easier

  Real Estate  

1. Abandoned animals: Landlords and lenders responsible for them
2. Condos: Buyers to pay more if they change their minds
3. Condo conversions: Clearer notices for tenants
4. Foreclosure consultants: Registration, bonding required
5. Foreclosures: Help for borrowers and tenants
6. Mobile homes: Water heater, smoke alarm protections for owners
7. Salespeople: Higher fines for unlicensed persons
8. Salespeople: Licensees to disclose license numbers
9. Real Estate Recovery Fund: Recovery amount increased
10. Tax breaks for homeowners
11. Swimming pools and spas: Drains must be covered

1. Bad checks: Charges and penalties increased
2. Contractors: Higher amount allowed for Small Claims lawsuits
3. Court fees: Courts may recover waivers

2008 Consumer Laws

2007 Consumer Laws

2006 Consumer Laws

DIRECTOR:
Pastor Herrera, Jr.

AUTHOR:
Herschel T. Elkins
Former Special Assistant Attorney General
California Attorney General’s Office

EDITOR:
Rigoberto Reyes
Chief Consumer Affairs Representative

DCA STAFF TRAINING ACADEMY ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
Tim Bissell
Chief Deputy Director

Maggie Becerra
Supervising Investigator
Consumer Services Unit

Kirk Shelton
Consumer Affairs Specialist

Dawnnesha Smith
Supervising Investigator
Identity Theft Prevention Unit

Debra Williams
Program Manager
Dispute Resolution Program