Hundreds of new California laws take effect in 2008, including many signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007, some that he simply declined to veto, and a few that were passed in previous years but structured for delayed activation. What follows is a random selection of interesting changes to the rules of the game we call life in California. Henceforth:
Personal Identification Implants No one may coerce, compel, or require anyone else–such as an employee-to undergo subcutaneous implantation of a tracking device, even though rice-grain sized radio-frequency units are now available. SB 362.
Social Insecurity Numbers Certain state and local agencies may display only the last four digits of social security numbers. California’s Office of Privacy Protection must determine if–and if so, when–SSN use by colleges is strictly necessary. Also, January 1, 2008 is the deadline for all employers to comply with an existing law that prohibits employers from displaying more than those last four digits on employee pay stubs. AB 1168.