https://atharkhan.com/glossary/statute/ A **statute** is an enacted written law. Statutes commonly result from legislation passed by Congress or a state legislature. In California, voters can also enact statutes through the [initiative process](https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ballot-measures/pdf/statewide-initiative-guide.pdf). A proposed bill is not an enacted statute merely because it has been introduced. ## In California Family Law The California Family Code contains statutes governing subjects such as marriage, divorce, support and custody. A citation to a code section identifies the legal provision, but its actual text, applicable version and any cross-references must still be read. California Legislative Counsel's [statutes explanation](https://www.leginfo.ca.gov/statute.html) describes chaptered bills and the legislative enactment process. A chaptered act can add, amend or repeal code provisions. The chapter number of an act and the section number of a code are different ways of identifying legislation; they should not be treated as interchangeable citations. ## Enactment and Effective Dates Enactment, an effective date and a separately specified operative date are not necessarily the same event. The Legislature's [explanation of bills and effective dates](https://clerk.assembly.ca.gov/sites/clerk.assembly.ca.gov/files/2117_Cal_Leg2016_Sec10_R2.pdf) discusses how legislation becomes law and when it takes effect. A code page may also show a future version alongside a version currently in operation. Reading the appropriate version matters. A bill proposal, a chaptered amendment and a later-operative code section may concern the same subject without all governing the same event on the same date. Statutory text must also be understood with applicable court rules and judicial decisions interpreting it. ## Example A person finds a recently enacted amendment to a Family Code section. Before applying its wording to a pending issue, the person checks when the amendment becomes operative and which version governs the relevant event. The fact that the amendment has been signed does not, by itself, answer that timing question.