2008 CONSUMER LAWS

Effective January 1, 2008, unless noted

1. Autos: How to calculate fuel charges for rental cars
2. Autos: Higher restocking fees for leased cars
3. Autos: "Lemon Law" protections for soldiers
4. Autos: Protections for car buyers who trade-in their cars
5. Autos: Teenage drivers can't talk and drive
6. Credit: Interest limited on payday loans for soldiers
7. Credit reports: Credit reporting agencies can report public records
8. Dead people: Don't have to cancel services in person
9. Gift certificates: Redeemable for cash if value is less than $10
10. Landlords & Tenants: Landlords cannot ask tenants their immigration status
11. Landlords & Tenants: Residential hotels must have locking mailboxes
12. Notaries: Must provide journal information within 15 days
13. Notaries: Stricter regulations to protect consumers against fraud
14. Privacy - Social Security Numbers: Courts and Tax Collector can display only last four numbers
15. Water vending machines and water bottles: Stricter regulations and consumer protections

  Real Estate  

1. Appraisers: Unlawful to bribe appraisers
2. Homestead exemptions: "Moved out" spouse gets more protections
3. Mobile homes: Sellers of mobile homes have to submit fingerprints
4. Public records: New rules on the destruction of public records
5. Real estate licenses: Convicted felons can't get a real estate license

1. Small Claims Courts must accept electronic filings and payment of fees by personal check
2. Process servers have to meet stricter serving requirements

DIRECTOR:
Pastor Herrera, Jr.

EDITOR:
Rigoberto Reyes
Chief Investigator

CONTRIBUTORS:
Tim Bissell
Chief Deputy Director

Nick Aquino
Supervising Investigator
Small Claims Advisor Program

Maggie Becerra
Supervising Investigator
Consumer Services Unit

Maritza H. Gutierrez
Supervising Investigator
Real Estate Unit

2007 Consumer Laws

2006 Consumer Laws