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Circus Abuse Elephant reaching for a peanut Chained up

Elephants and exotic animals banned from the circus

As of January 1, 2020, new legislation has passed that prohibits the use of exotic animals in circuses within California. The only animals which are allowed to be used as of now are domestic animals, such as dogs, cats, and horses. This means that the days of viewing theatrics involving bears, monkeys, tigers, elephants and other staples of the circus have come to an end.
California State Beaches 2020 beach with chairs to sit

No Smoking or Vaping on California State Beaches 2020

A recently passed law referred to as Senate Bill No. 8 came into effect on January 1, 2020. The law bans smoking of a cigar, a cigarette, or a synthetic smoking device on any state beach and any state beach in California; the law also bans the disposal of any of the previously listed items on any state beach or park as well. Any infraction to this law will result in a fine of $25 and is considered a new crime under the law.
rhesus macaques

California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act

Senate Bill No. 1249, also known as the California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, states that it is 鈥渦nlawful for a manufacturer to import for profit, sell, or offer for sale in the state of California, any cosmetic, if the cosmetic was developed or manufactured using an animal test that was conducted or contracted by the manufacturer, or any supplier of the manufacturer, on or after January 1, 2020鈥.
child swings Photo by Charles Rondeau

Child Abuse and Child Further Defined Under New Law

Senate Bill 436 is an amendment to the currently existing Welfare and Institutions Code in California that pertains to child abuse.