OC HIGH: STUDENT NEWS AND VIEWS : Some New State Laws Put Spotlight on Teens

A number of new state laws that took effect Jan. 1 affect teens. Here is a brief description of them:

Violent crimes--The minimum age at which minors charged with serious violent crimes can be tried, convicted and imprisoned as adults drops from 16 to 14. (AB 560 by Sen. Steve Peace, D-Bonita).

Gun sales to minors--Prison sentences are increased for people convicted of the illegal sale or transfer of handguns to minors. (AB 2470 by Assemblyman Richard K. Rainey, R-Walnut Creek).

Ammunition sales--It is now a crime to sell ammunition to anyone under age 18. (AB 2449 by Assemblywoman Dede Alpert, D-Coronado).

Bicycle helmets--Bicycle riders under age 18 are required to wear approved safety helmets or face $25 fines. (AB 2268 by Assemblyman Louis Caldera, D-Los Angeles).

Graffiti materials--It is a misdemeanor to possess an aerosol paint can, felt tip pen or other marking device with the intent to write graffiti or commit public vandalism. (SB 583 by Sen. John R. Lewis, R-Orange).

Graffiti cleanup--Parents of minors convicted of graffiti crimes are required to spend at least 12 hours helping their children clean up the mess. (AB 2595 by Assemblyman Tom Connolly, D-Lemon Grove).

Juvenile vandalism--The amount of money that parents or guardians may be liable for because of acts of vandalism committed by their minor children is increased from $10,000 to $25,000. (AB 308 by Assemblyman Dean Andal, R-Stockton).

Parental liability--Parents are held responsible for making court-ordered restitution for property damage committed by their children. (AB 1629 by Assemblywoman Betty Karnette, D-Long Beach).

Juvenile decoys--Law enforcement officials are allowed to use people under age 21 as decoys to apprehend merchants who illegally sell beer, wine or liquor to minors. (AB 3805 by Assemblyman Bernie Richter, R-Chico).

Tobacco sales--Merchants who illegally sell tobacco products to minors face increased fines and penalties, and the state is permitted to use sting operations to catch them in the act. (SB 1927 by Sen. Tom Hayden, D-Santa Monica).

Curfew fines--Parents whose children break local curfew laws are subject to fines of $50 or more. (AB 3797 by Assemblyman Tom Umberg, D-Garden Grove).

School uniforms--School boards can adopt dress codes requiring students to wear uniforms on campus and stop them from wearing gang-related clothing. (SB 1269 by Sen. Phil Wyman, R-Tehachapi).

Metal detectors--$1 million is provided to purchase metal detectors for Los Angeles senior and junior high school campuses to catch students who bring guns to school. (AB 777 by Assemblyman Richard Katz, D-Sylmar).

Campus firearms--It is a felony to carry a firearm within 1,000 feet of a public or private school campus. (AB 645 by Assemblywoman Doris Allen, R-Cypress).

Hate violence--The State Board of Education is instructed to adopt policies designed to reduce acts of hate violence in kindergarten through high school. (AB 2543 by Assemblywoman Barbara Lee, D-Oakland).

Student harassment--School boards can suspend or expel students who harass, threaten or intimidate other students and create a hostile school environment in grades 4 through 12. (AB 2752 by Assemblywoman Doris Allen, R-Cypress).

Cross-enrollment--Students enrolled in the community college, state college or University of California systems may take one course each term, if space is available, at a campus in one of the other systems by paying a $10 administrative fee. (SB 1914 by Sen. Lucy Killea, I-San Diego).

Unlicensed drivers--Police can confiscate, in some cases permanently, automobiles driven by unlicensed drivers who have a conviction for driving without a license or for driving with a suspended or revoked license. (AB 3148 by Assemblyman Richard Katz, D-Sylmar).

Driving tests--On a two-year trial basis, private driving schools can give license-qualifying driving tests to 15,000 minor students per year with the Department of Motor Vehicles closely monitoring the program. (SB 1390 by Sen. Charles M. Calderon, D-Whittier).

Driver’s licenses--A six-month driver’s license suspension is authorized for those convicted of any drug offense, even if it is unrelated to operation of a motor vehicle. This measure took effect on Dec. 1. (AB 79X by Assemblyman Robert Frazee, R-Carlsbad).

Concealed firearms--Judges can suspend or delay issuance of the driver’s licenses of minors convicted of carrying a pistol or other concealable firearm, and order them to complete up to 500 hours of community service. (AB 3499 by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell, D-Carpinteria).

Truancy punishment--The courts can suspend or delay for up to one year the driving privileges of a habitually truant minor. (SB 1728 by Sen. Teresa Hughes, D-Inglewood).

No smoking--With few exceptions, a statewide smoking ban is imposed for restaurants, offices, factories and other enclosed workplaces. (AB 13 by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman, D-Brentwood). * Compiled by Jerry Gillam, Times Staff Writer