When laws are passed, not all of them go into effect immediately and the beginning of the year is a common time for such laws to be enacted. The following laws are are a few of the ones going into effect this January.

Age to purchase guns: Citizens must be 21 or older to purchase rifles and shotguns, like AK-47 assault rifles. This law is meant to help prevent school shootings.

School door locks: Education board bonds must pay for door locks. These locks are now mandatory in school buildings as a way to promote school safety.

Graduation ceremonies: This law allows graduating students to wear specific adornments at graduation and protects those who wear religious, ceremonial or cultural gear.
Reduced prices on meals: Schools will be obligated to serve reduced-priced meals that meet the specific standards enacted by Obama legislation. The law also doesn’t allow for healthy meals to be priced higher than less healthy meals.
Uncollected meal debts: Schools are forbidden to withhold graduation from a student if they haven’t paid their debts. These debts include lunch meals and P.E. clothes.
Media literacy / fake news: The California Department of Education must have a list of resources on teaching media literacy to students on their website. Schools are recommended to implement classes on media, fake news and similar issues.
Sex education: All sex education must be in compliance with the California Healthy Youth Act, which requires that all provided information and instruction to be medically correct.
School buses: All school buses transporting students are required to have seatbelts for students. This is intended to save students’ lives in case of major crashes and other vehicular accidents.
Suicide policy: Schools must update their suicide policy every five years and also have the National Suicide Prevention number on the back of identification cards for students.

Sexual health and media: Schools must authorize an optional lesson on the impact of the digital age on sexual relations. Students can opt out of the lesson, but schools will have to recommend students take it.