2010 CONSUMER LAWS

In 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed 696 bills and vetoed 297. This report contains a list of the top consumer laws passed in California in 2009. It also contains select federal laws. The Official California Legislative Information Web site contains the full text of the California laws in this list – searchable by bill number, code section, or keyword.

The California legislature has two year sessions. 2009 was the first of these two years. Some of the 2009 bills that were not signed or vetoed by the Governor are being held over and may be acted upon in 2010.

Bills the governor signs generally become law on Jan. 1, 2010. Emergency bills, which must be passed by two thirds of each house, can become law immediately after the governor signs them.

Effective January 1, 2010, unless noted

1. Endorsements and testimonials
2. Post-secondary schools

  Automobiles  

1. Registration
2. Rentals
3. Trade-ins

  Contracts and Credit Cards  

1. Credit cards
2. Contracts: Renewals
3. Liens against out-of-state companies
4. Service contracts

  Homes  

1. Continuing care retirement communities
2. Contractors
3. Foreclosure prevention
4. Homestead exemptions
5. Income tax credit
6. Loan modification advance fee
7. Mechanic’s liens
8. Mobile home parks
9. Mortgage loans
10. Residential care facilities
11. Reverse mortgages
12. RESPA
13. Tax assessments

  Legal Aid  

1. Legal aid
2. Legal document assistants

  Privacy  

1. Robocalls
2. Social security numbers

  Small Claims Court  

1. Small Claims Court – Declaratory Relief
2. Small Claims Court – Unpaid Fees

2009 Consumer Laws

2008 Consumer Laws

2007 Consumer Laws

2006 Consumer Laws

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

DCA TRAINING ACADEMY CHAIR:
Rigoberto Reyes
Chief Investigator

DCA TRAINING ACADEMY COMMITTEE:
Tim Bissell
Chief Deputy Director

Nick Aquino
Program Manager
Small Claims Court Advisor Program

Maggie Becerra
Supervising Investigator
Consumer Protection Services

Maritza Gutierrez
Supervising Investigator
Real Estate Information & Counseling

Kirk Shelton
Consumer Affairs Specialist

Dawnnesha Smith
Supervising Investigator
Identity Theft Prevention Unit