Did you know that starting January 1, 2025, the minimum wage will increase to $16.50 per hour for all California employees; and that a new law, AB 2347, gives tenants ten business days to respond to eviction notices, instead of five.
But also starting in April, rental homeowners will not be able to charge those who pay the deposit with a check.
You should also know that as soon as the new year’s bell rings, a new law, AB 413, prohibits parking a vehicle within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where there is an extension sidewalk
This measure is expected to help save lives, but at the same time it will eliminate many spaces for cars to park, which can be a problem in large cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
These and many other laws will come into force next year. Below, we list the most relevant ones.
AB 2602 prohibits the use of artificial intelligence to replicate an actor’s voice or image without their permission.
AB 1836 prohibits the use of voices or images of deceased actors without the consent of their heirs.
SB 1100 prohibits a job posting from requiring applicants to have a valid driver’s license.
Crime
SB 905 closes the locked door loophole, which required prosecutors to prove that car doors were locked when a theft occurred. This law gives prosecutors more flexibility to address auto thefts and robberies.
AB 1775 gives authority to cities and counties to allow existing marijuana retailers and consumption lounges to sell non-cannabis food and beverages.
AB 2863 requires companies that offer automatic service renewal services to provide customers with the option to cancel their subscription using the same method they used to subscribe. This measure comes into force from July 1.
AB 375 requires food delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats to provide customers with the name and photo of their delivery driver, starting March 1, 2025.
AB 3209 allows retail stores to obtain restraining orders against people convicted of stealing, vandalizing, or assaulting an employee of that store.
AB 1779 allows California district attorneys to coordinate with other prosecutors to consolidate charges against suspects in retail theft crimes occurring in multiple counties.
AB 1960 creates increased sentences for taking, damaging, or destroying property while committing a felony if the value of the property exceeds $50,000.
SB 1242 determines that setting a fire on a merchant’s premises while committing organized retail theft will be considered an aggravating factor and will increase sentences for those convicted.
SB 1414 raises the classification of soliciting and purchasing sex from minors under the age of 16 from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Education
AB 1955 prohibits school districts in the state from enacting policies that require educators to notify parents if students identify as transgender or request to use a different name.
AB 1821 requires California public schools to teach the impact of the Mission Period and the Gold Rush on Native Americans in the state.
AB 1780 will prohibit legacy admission of students to universities that accept state funds. They account for an estimated 30% of admissions at 70 of the top 100 universities.
SB 639 requires health care professionals who provide care to people age 65 and older to complete continuing education in geriatrics and dementia care.
AB 1825 states that public libraries cannot ban books based on the race, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation of the subject, author, or intended audience of a book.
Workers
SB 988 increases protections for independent contractors by requiring workers to be paid on or before the date specified in their contract, or no later than 30 days after the completion of services if no date is specified.
SB 1105 allows agricultural workers to use paid sick days to prevent the effects of working outdoors in hazardous conditions, such as smoke or extreme heat.
AB 2123 authorizes employees to use paid family leave without first resorting to vacation hours.
AB 2499 expands the definition of paid sick leave to include when an employee’s family member is a victim of violence or threat of violence, allowing employees to use sick leave to help family members obtain a restraining order or seek services related to domestic violence or any assault.
AB 399 states that California employers can no longer fire, discriminate, retaliate, or threaten to take such actions because an employee has refused to attend an employer-sponsored meeting related to religious, political, or decision-making matters. whether or not to support a labor organization/union.
Arms
AB 2917 stipulates that threats directed at a group or location will be allowed in courts to decide whether to issue a restraining order to prohibit a person from purchasing or possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Dwelling
SB 450 requires local governments to waive certain zoning requirements to make it easier for homeowners to divide their homes into up to four separate units.
SB 1395 makes it easier for cities to build tiny homes for homeless residents.
Health
SB 729 requires insurance companies to cover in vitro fertilization for couples having trouble conceiving a child. That Access will also be expanded to LGBTQ+ families.
AB 2515 prohibits the sale of tampons and other menstrual products that contain potentially toxic chemicals.
AB 1902 requires pharmacies to provide prescription labels accessible to people who are blind, have low vision, or have print disabilities.
AB 2475 allows the state to increase the time it can hold people in psychiatric hospitals for treatment, from five days to 30 days after a judge determines they should be released.
Finance
AB 2017 prohibits state-chartered banks from fining customers when they try to withdraw money but do not have sufficient funds in their accounts.
SB 764 indicates that parents who benefit from social media posts in which their children use child influencers must reserve a portion of the profits for themselves, through the creation of a trust for the minors.