New Laws Hit The Book January 1st

More than eleven-hundred new California laws are set to take effect Wednesday. The laws cover everything from terrorism to gun control. The gun control movement successfully pushed a measure making California the first state to repeal gun manufacturers´ immunity against lawsuits. A labor law requires mandatory mediation to break deadlocks in farmworker contract disputes. One law focused on terrorism allows roving wiretaps that monitor multiple cell phone or Internet communications without seeking separate court orders.

Another, pushed by the domestic partner of a terror victim, will let domestic partners inherit their partner´s

property if he or she dies without a will. Allegations of sexual abuse by clergy prompted lawmakers to push through a law making it easier for child abuse victims to claim damages.