The arrival of a new year comes with a slew of new laws that will impact residents of the Golden State, and many were authored by Orange County legislators.
Some of the new laws, ranging from homeowner protection and transportation to cursive instruction, will go into effect immediately starting in January. Here’s a look at seven new laws from our OC representatives in Sacramento.
Seeing squiggles?
Starting Jan. 1, learning how to write in cursive, which has origins dating back hundreds of years, will be mandatory for elementary students in first through sixth grade. Cursive handwriting instruction was gradually pushed out of schools starting in 2010 after new education standards focused on English language arts and mathematics, Common Core State Standards, were adopted that year.
“Writing in cursive has multiple benefits, including better brain development, retention and learning in children,” said Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, who authored the legislation. “It is also beneficial as an adult; the ability to sign their name in cursive is important for future job applications, writing checks, signing medical forms, obtaining driver’s licenses, and voting.”
Time to play
A new law written by Sen. Josh Newman, D-Fullerton, guarantees a 30-minute recess for all California students in kindergarten through eighth grade and prohibits teachers from withholding it as punishment. The law, which goes into effect in the 2024-2025 school year, also mandates schools to have students play for at least 15 minutes on early dismissal days.
The rule, however, does not apply when students are on a class field trip.
Clearer tenant protections for homeowners in care facilities
Under a new law authored by Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, individuals confined at a hospital or another care facility are deemed as living in their primary residence, qualifying them for the state homeowners’ property tax exemption.
Per the state constitution, homeowners can…
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