Skip to main content

State of the Judiciary, DNA Swabs, Gloves and More

By Gabriella Khorasanee, JD on March 28, 2014 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Lots of California law updates this week with the 2014 State of the Judiciary, a retiring judge, and a review of laws, pending, passed, and interpreted. Let's jump in:

2014 State of the Judiciary

On March 17, 2014 Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye gave her 2014 State of the Judiciary Address before California judges, legislators and attorneys. The foundation of her statements rested on "fairness and collaboration" -- values that both the judiciary and legislature embody. She went on to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and discussed issues important to her including collaborative courts, self-help centers at the trial courts, JusticeCorps and juvenile justice. To read her remarks in full (or watch a video), click here for the 2014 State of the Judiciary Address.

Senate Bill 994

State Senator Monning (D-Carmel) introduced SB 994, a bill intended to allow consumers to see the data generated by their automobiles, and to decide who to share that information with. Seems non-threatening enough, but the bill is the subject of controversy as it's getting labeled as a data grab and a threat to security and privacy. Will the real SB 994 please stand up?

Bare-Hand Law Gets a Second Look

On January 1, 2014 a law prohibiting food handlers and bartenders from touching ready-to-eat foods with their bare hands took effect, though enforcement was not supposed to begin until mid-year. Not even having reached the enforcement period, the Assembly Health Committee voted unanimously, 15-0 to repeal and revisit the law, "before enforcement begins this summer, following opposition from chefs and bartenders," reports KPIX.

California DNA Swab Law Upheld

An en banc panel of the Ninth Circuit upheld a California law that allows the collection of a DNA sample from anyone arrested for the commission of a felony. The ACLU had an uphill battle trying to distinguish a similar Maryland law that the Supreme Court upheld last year, reports the San Jose Mercury News.

Related Resources:

Copied to clipboard