New year, new laws. While it might seem like most of the time the government is just messing around, the state of California lawmakers let quite a few new laws slip through this year. Some of them probably apply to you, others you should tell your friends before they get fined and don't know why (spoiler: it's because they were drunk hoverboarding). While this list is by no means exhaustive, here are 10 new laws you're better off knowing about.
1. Earbuds or Headsets (SB 491): The thing about driving is... you need to be able to hear things. Drivers will no longer be allowed to wear headphones or earbuds. It also apply to bicyclists, but not to those operating emergency vehicles, construction equipment and refuse or waste equipment.
2. Pedal-Powered Vehicles (SB 530): You know those "beer bikes" that drunk tourists roll around in? They're legal now.
3. Electrically Motorized Skateboards (AB 604): The best Christmas present ever? A low key explosive device? Douche-mobile? Call them what you may, but the long arm of the law is cracking down on hoverboards. You can't drink and hover, you have to be 16 years or older to ride and you have to wear a helmet.
4. Highway Lane Use (AB 20): This is an amendment to a former bill, extending the law to all slow-moving vehicles being required to pull over safely to let traffic pass—including bicycles.
5. Minimum Wage (MW-2014): Minimum wage is up to $10 in California. It's not the $15 that many people are buzzing about, but it is moving up.
6. Vaccines (SB 277): California is finally cracking down on making sure that children in schools are fully vaccinated, following a dreadful measles outbreak at the end of 2014 and into the first few months of 2015. You remember it.
7. Privacy Laws (SB 178): Law enforcement has to get a search warrant before they can look at your emails, texts and Internet search history.
8. Sex Education (AB 329): Sex education is no longer optional for students unless their parents get involved. Schools are also supposed to include more information about HIV and gender identity.
9. Yes Means Yes (SB 695): Schools also have to teach consensual sex, because sadly people need to be taught that no means no, and yes means yes.
10. Exit Exams (SB 172): If you met all your high school graduation requirements, but failed your exit exam, you can qualify to retroactively get a diploma. Also known as the state government's way of asking, "Is it too late now to say sorry?"