Calif. Rings In New Year With New Laws
RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com) — Hundreds of new laws went into effect in California on New Year's Day, including ones dealing with social media and picketing funerals.
Schools are now able to suspend students who create so-called "burn pages," which are internet profiles used to impersonate someone for the purpose of bullying.
Shelby, a 12-year-old from Chino Hills, said cyberbullying is a common problem at her school.
"A lot of people have been doing it at my school. I have told the teacher and they have gotten suspended for doing it," she said.
Two other online-centric laws prevent employers and higher education officials from asking applicants for their social media usernames and passwords.
John Bandoja, a Chino Hills resident, said his employer made him sign a waiver to give them access to his Facebook account when he got his job.
"I think it is a good law because people will be free to talk about anything on Facebook. They don't have to worry about their employer," he said.
Lastly, the "Funeral Privacy Protection Act," or SB 661, makes picketing a funeral a criminal act. Protestors are banned from demonstrating an hour before, during, and up to an hour after the ceremony.
