WOODLAND HILLS—On September 26, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law certain protections for California car buyers, the first of its kind in the nation. The bill, known as AB 1215, protects perspective car buyers by insuring that they are sold vehicles that are safe, reliable, and most of all, not stolen. Authored by Bob Blumenfield (D-Woodland Hills), the bill requires that car dealers register their vehicles electronically, making the process up to 600 percent, adding to the state millions of dollars.

“Buying a car comes second only to the commitment that comes with buying a home,” said Blumenfield. “With working families striving to stretch their dollars in this tough economy, there couldn’t be a better time to help ensure that family cars are a good and safe investment. By signing this law, the governor can protect consumers and save the state nearly the same sum as the budget cuts causing 70 state parks to close next year.”

AB 1215 uses a first in the nation process that mandates new and used car dealers distinguish with a red sticker those vehicles that have been flagged in a federal database, the National Vehicle Title Information System, or the NMVTIS, as a “junk,” “salvage,” or “flood” branded car or truck. The U. S. Department of Justice maintains the NMVTIS, which is the only database in the country to which all of the nation’s insurers, junk and salvage yards, and state motor vehicle departments must report updated title information every 30 days.

“Consumer advocates have long sought the protections offered in this bill,” said Rosemary Shahan, President of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety. “For the first time, auto dealers will be required to provide vital information about a vehicle’s safety, reliability, and worth before consumers even start negotiating. In California, millions of the most hazardous cars will be marked with a red sticker to warn consumers that they merit close scrutiny or should be avoided.”

Also mandated by the bill is the requirement that new car dealers use electronic vehicle registration for all the vehicles sold starting July 2012, saving California more than $9 million each year by shrinking administrative costs at the Department of Motor Vehicles. AB 1215 also stipulates that staffing efficiencies should be transferred in order to reduce lines in DMV offices. It was also in a news release that AB 1215 caps dealer document charges at the second lowest in the country.

“No other state can match the built-in protections and convenience awaiting Californians,” said Peter Welch, President of the California New Car Dealers Association. “Like every small business, dealers want to focus on customers instead of paperwork. This bill offers much needed relief and a better product, bringing Californians their new license plates in about a month instead of up to six months.”

AB 1215 got through the State Assembly 67-4 and the State Senate 30-4.