07/01/2025
NEW YEAR, NEW LAWS FOR 2025
By Gia L. Pacheco, Esq.
The Law Offices of George B. Pacheco & Associates
As we celebrate the dawn of a new year, please keep in mind the numerous laws that have been enacted for the health and safety of Californians. Here is a set of laws that have been enacted or amended.
Key Laws Related to โSafer Roadwaysโ
โTakeoverโ Crackdowns
A whole new set of laws will begin to be enforced in 2025 which aim to impose harsher penalties on drivers, spectators and promoters involved in the street takeovers and strengthen law enforcementโs ability to combat sideshows and street takeovers which have become a nuisance and some deadly.
โข AB 1978 by Assemblymember Kate Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita) โ Vehicles: speed contests. This amends revises provisions to existing Vehicle Code Section 1978 which now authorizes a peace officer to remove a vehicle pursuant to these provisions without taking a person into custody when the alleged offense a person uses a vehicle to block, facilitate or aiding a takeover or drag race.
โข AB 2186 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) โ Vehicles: This law authorizes a peace officer to remove a vehicle without taking a person into custody when the alleged offense is a violation of obstructing or placing a barricade or obstruction upon a highway or in an offstreet parking facility for the purpose of facilitating or aiding a takeover or illegal drag race.
โข AB 2807 by Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) โ Vehicles: sideshows and street takeovers. Speed contests are disallowed, and this law makes it a crime for organizers, spectators and participants. Penalties include serving time in county jail for no less than 24 hours nor more than 90 days or by a fine of no less than three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both fine and imprisonment. Violators are ordered to do 40 hours of community service. The court may order driverโs license suspension ranging from 90 days to six months. The penalties increase if any person is suffers bodily injury as a result of the takeover.
โข AB 3085 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) โ Vehicles: removal and impoundment. This Bill amends Vehicle Code Section 14602.7 to include that any one vehicle used in committing the crime of a takeover or drag races in a highway or offstreet parking facility, is now one of the offenses for which a peace officer may have reasonable cause to impound a vehicle pursuant to a warrant or order issued by a magistrate.
No License Plate Obstruction
An existing state law passed by lawmakers was amended to improve detection and enforcement of traffic violations. Vehicle code section 5201.1 makes it illegal for a person to sell products or devices that obscure, intend to obscure the reading or recognition of a license plate by visual means or electronic device. A person may not operate a car with any product or device that violates reading or recognition of a license plate, or erase or paint over the reflective coating, or alter a license plate to avoid detection. Violators may face a penalty of up to $250 per item sold or per violation.
Daylighting Law
Effective January 1st, cities can now begin enforcing by ticketing drivers who do not park a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk, regardless of whether thereโs a designated parking spot or not. The law is already in effect but was not enforceable prior to January 1, 2025. The goal is to make streets safer for pedestrians. Fines will vary by city.
Key Laws Related to Retail Theft
Effective January 1st, several laws will go into enforcement, which aim at cracking down on retail theft, particularly by organized groups that sell the stolen merchandise for a profit. These laws will make it easier for prosecutors to charge professional or repeat thieves with felonies.
Felonies for Repeat Offenders
Assembly Bill 2493 amends Penal Codes 372.7 and 487, which adds a new felony crime for offenders who repeatedly steal small amounts in a short period of time or possess stolen goods to resell them. The measure makes it easier for police to arrest shoplifters even if they donโt witness the theft by allowing them to make a warrantless arrest.
Theft from a Vehicle
For crimes involving theft from a vehicle, existing law creates a โlocked door loophole,โ which requires prosecutors to prove car doors were locked when a burglary took place. Assembly Bill 905 amends existing law Penal Code Section 465 to allow a perpetrator to be charged with burglary from a car, even if the car was unlocked, allowing more flexibility . This provision also makes it easier to pursue a felony against those who repeatedly steal small amounts of goods.
Restraining Orders against Retail Thieves
Assembly Bill 3209 amends Penal Code Section 490.8 to allow a judge, when sentencing a person for an offense involving theft from a retail establishment, vandalism of a retail establishment, or battery of an employee of a retail establishment, to issue a criminal protective order prohibiting a person from entering the retail establishment, including any parking lots and including other franchise or chain locations of the retail establishment, as specified. The prosecution is now empowered with filing a petition for this type of criminal protective order. Any violations will be considered a misdemeanor.
Consumer Protection Laws for 2025
Consent Required for Automatic Subscription
This new law will make canceling online subscriptions easier. Assembly Bill 2863 now requires a company to obtain consent before automatically renewing a subscription service after July 1, 2025. Customers will also receive a reminder regarding the subscription service, as well as given information on how to cancel it.
Medical Debt Not to Appear on Credit Report
Under Senate Bill 1061, medical debt will be banned from appearing on people's credit card reports.
Overdraft Fees
State Regulated banks are now prohibited from charging overdraft fees when a customer withdraws money and does not have sufficient funds in their account.
Delivery Drivers to be Disclosed
Effective March 1, 2025, Assembly Bill 375 now requires food delivery services such as DoorDash and Uber Eats to provide customers with the first name and photo of their delivery driver.
On behalf of The Law Offices of George B. Pacheco & Associates, I would like to wish our loyal readers a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
Disclaimer: This article is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this article without first seeking the advice of an attorney. The statements are the expression of author, not The Montebello Reporter, and have not been evaluated by The Montebello Reporter for accuracy, completeness, or changes in the law.
Montebello Reporter is a monthly community publication covering people, places and events in Montebello.
