New California laws going into effect in 2024: Minimum wage, housing, guns, abortion and more
From how much renters pay to secure a spot, to how toys are organized inside of a store, hundreds of new laws are going into effect this year. Here's a look at some of them.
From how much renters pay to secure a spot, to how toys are organized inside of a store, hundreds of new laws are going into effect this year. Here's a look at some of them.
From how much renters pay to secure a spot, to how toys are organized inside of a store, hundreds of new laws are going into effect this year. Here's a look at some of them.
The start of the year unlocks a new set of rules, regulations and protections for Californians.
Many of the new laws that go into effect this year impact the workplace and make changes to the state's criminal justice system.
(Video above: New California laws for 2024: Higher minimum wage, cannabis protections, expanded sick days.)
From how much renters pay to secure a spot to how toys are organized inside of a store, hundreds of new laws are going into effect this year. Here's a look at some of them.
Workers
New protections for those who use or have used cannabis off the clock: SB 700 prohibits an employer from requesting information from an applicant's prior cannabis use. AB 2188 prohibits employers from discriminating against a worker or applicant based on their use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace. Those who work in building and construction trades and federal workers are exempt from this.
Minimum wage increases: California's minimum wage overall will increase to $16 dollars an hour when the new year begins because of a state law that requires the minimum wage to adjust for inflation. Later this year, other job sectors will see even bigger bumps. In April, AB 1228 will go into effect to raise the minimum wage of fast-food workers to $20 an hour. In June, because of SB 525, some health care workers will begin seeing increases to their minimum wage depending on the type of facility they work in, to eventually reach a $25 minimum wage for the entire industry by 2033.
SB 497 - Makes it easier for employees to establish retaliation claims against their employer. This is known as the Equal Pay and Anti-Retaliation Act.
SB 616 - Requires employers to allow both hourly and salary workers to earn a minimum of five paid sick days a year.
Public Safety
New limits for gun buyers and carriers: Lawmakers and the governor this year passed two laws in response to mass shootings nationwide. SB 2 places new limits on concealed carry firearm permit holders, while AB 28 imposes an 11% tax on firearms and ammunition to help fund violence prevention programs.
SB 14 - Defines child sex trafficking as a serious felony under California law, meaning repeat offenders of this crime and other serious offenses could face up to life in prison
AB 701 - Enhances jail time for those trafficking more than a kilo of fentanyl.
SB 673 - Establishes the "Ebony Alert" for missing young Black women and children.
AB 360 - Prohibits "excited delirium" from being considered a medical diagnosis or valid cause of death, which has been used by coroners in other states, including Minnesota for the classification of the death of George Floyd.
AB 452 - Eliminates the statute of limitations, or time limit for the recovery of damages, for victims of childhood sexual assault that occurs on or after January 1.
AB 2282 - Enhances criminal penalties for those who use swastikas, nooses, desecrated crosses and other hate symbols on schools, cemeteries, religious institutions, businesses and other private and public spaces.
Housing
AB 12 - Starting in July, prohibits landlords from charging more than one month's rent for a security deposit.
SB 4 - Allows places of worship or independent higher education institutions to build a housing development project on their property "by right."
Health
Abortion and reproductive protections have been a priority for lawmakers and the governor since the Supreme Court of the United States struck down Roe v. Wade. With that, they passed SB 345, which sets legal protections for healthcare providers who mail abortion pills or gender-affirming prescriptions out of state. SB 385 allows physician's assistants to do surgical abortions without the direct supervision of a doctor. For those mourning a reproductive loss, SB 848 requires employers to provide five days of time off for workers who went through the loss, including a miscarriage, stillbirth, or unsuccessful embryo transfer, insemination or adoption.
SB 43 - Makes it easier for counties to put those with severe mental illness into medical treatment or temporary psychiatric holds. The law expands who can be put into an involuntary hold to include those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol or who are unable to keep themselves safe.
Consumer
AB 1084 - Requires retailers to have a gender-neutral toy section.
SB 244 - The Right to Repair Act, which will require manufacturers of devices that cost more than $50 to provide consumers and repair shops with parts, tools, or instructions to repair the device.
SB 478 - Hidden fees no longer. Starting in July, this will require websites to show the actual cost of a service or item upfront. This includes hotel or short-term rental stays, event tickets and food delivery services.
Miscellaneous
ONLINE PROTECTIONS: AB 587 requires social media companies to disclose how they address hate speech and disinformation. Tech companies are expected to provide reports to the state attorney general on how they address violations of user terms.
DAYLIGHTING CROSSWALKS: AB 413 prohibits stopping or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of an intersection or crosswalk clear of parked vehicles.
KEEP CRUISING: AB 436 keeps cities and counties from imposing cruising bans on city streets.
