As of July 1, several new California laws are now in effect, ushering in changes that touch on everything from consumer rights and student mental health to workplace protections and gas taxes. 

Easier Subscription Cancellations

Consumers will now find it simpler to cancel subscription services thanks to Assembly Bill 2863, which requires businesses to offer the same cancellation method used to initiate the subscription. The law aims to reduce frustration over hard-to-navigate cancellation systems, a common complaint among Californians.

Short-Term Rental Fee Transparency

For those booking vacation homes, AB 2202 now mandates that platforms like Airbnb disclose all cleaning fees and penalties before a reservation is made. Hosts must also clearly list cleaning tasks expected of guests, ensuring greater transparency and fewer surprise charges.

Mental Health Resources for Students

Under Senate Bill 1063, all public schools serving grades 7 through 12 must print the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and a QR code linking to county-specific mental health resources on student ID cards. This change is part of a broader effort to support youth mental health and prevent suicide.

CARE Act Transparency

New updates to the CARE Act, which provides court-ordered treatment for individuals struggling with mental health, require courts to keep petitioners informed about the individual’s treatment progress. The law, originally passed in 2022, seeks to provide compassionate care while maintaining accountability and oversight.

Retail Theft and Online Marketplaces

Cracking down on retail theft, AB 2943 and SB 905 increase penalties for crimes like vehicle break-ins when items are intended for resale. Additionally, online marketplaces must now verify the identity of third-party sellers and report suspicious activity to law enforcement, a response to growing concerns over stolen goods being sold online.

Bar Safety Enhancements

Bars across the state must now offer drink lids upon request and post signage warning patrons of drink spiking. Signs must read:

“Don’t get roofied! Drink lids and drink spiking drug test kits available here. Ask a staff member for details.”

New Protections for Domestic Workers

With the passage of SB 1350, domestic workers — such as nannies and house cleaners hired through agencies — are now covered under Cal/OSHA workplace protections. However, the law does not apply to individuals who hire household help directly for personal use.

Gas and Cannabis Tax Adjustments

The state’s gas tax has increased from 59.6 cents to 61.2 cents per gallon, part of an annual inflation adjustment. Cannabis taxes have also been adjusted, though specifics vary by locality.

Minimum Wage Hikes in Select Cities

Several California cities, including Los Angeles, have raised their minimum wage as of July 1. Local rates now exceed the state minimum, which remains at $16 per hour, depending on the size of the business.

Other Key Changes:

• Pet Insurance Transparency: Insurers must now explain premium increases and reductions in coverage to policyholders.
• Fertility Treatment Coverage: Most insurance plans are now required to cover fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF).
• Food Delivery ID Requirements: Delivery platforms must provide customers with a photo and the first name of their delivery person.
• Bounty Hunter Licensing: AB 2043 mandates that all bail fugitive recovery agents — commonly known as bounty hunters — must be licensed in California.

For full details on how these laws may impact you, visit the California Legislature’s website or contact your local city or county government.

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By Serena Guentz

Noozhawk Staff Writer

With the arrival of the new year also comes a long list of new laws taking effect in California, ranging from housing development to food waste recycling, minimum wage increases, and police and criminal justice system reforms.

The following are just some of the several laws that went into effect in California starting on Jan. 1.

Senate Bill 3, which was approved by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2016, will be increasing the minimum wage in California to $15 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees and $14 per hour for those with 25 or fewer employees.

There are a few news laws targeted at reducing waste and methane emissions, including Senate Bill 1383 which requires residents and businesses to recycle green waste and food waste.

Santa Barbara County residents who are served by the Tajiguas Landfill and live within the ReSource Center “wasteshed” do not have to change how they manage waste, and that includes Buellton, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Solvang, and the unincorporated areas of the Cuyama Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and the South Coast.

The landfill’s Materials Recovery Facility, also known as the ReSource Center, processes and separates organic waste from trash to be made into compost and energy.

The County Public Works Department asks people in these areas not to mix food scraps in with yard waste (green containers) since it interferes with the mulching process.

In an effort to reduce plastic waste, Assembly Bill 1276 prohibits restaurants from providing single-use foodware accessories or standard condiments unless requested by consumers. Correctional facilities, health care facilities, residential care facilities, and public and private school cafeterias are exempt.

For housing development, Senate Bill 9 allows property owners to split lots and build additional residential units in areas zoned for single-family housing.

Many jurisdictions, such as Santa Barbara and Goleta, have approved ordinances to put local conditions on SB 9 or to make high-fire-hazard zones exempt.

Senate Bill 10 authorizes local governments to zone for up to 10 residential units per parcel in urban areas or “transit-rich” areas.

Several police reform bills will be going into effect Jan. 1, including Assembly Bill 48, which restricts and sets standards for the use of rubber bullets or tear gas for crowd control, and Assembly Bill 26, which requires officers to immediately report potential excessive force and requires officers who fail to intervene to be disciplined up to and including in the same manner as the offending officer.

Assembly Bill 490 prohibits law enforcement officers from using restraint or transport methods that carry a significant risk of positional asphyxia, or suffocation.

Assembly Bill 89 raises the minimum qualifying age for peace officers from 18 to 21, and Senate Bill 2 creates a process for peace officer decertification by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training for serious misconduct. SB 2 also eliminates several legal immunity provisions for officers.

Senate Bill 73 will end mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenses and allow eligibility for probation in these cases.

New laws relating to labor and employment include Senate Bill 62, which prohibits by-piece pay for garment workers, and Assembly Bill 701, which would require warehouse employers to disclose quotas upon hire and provides that employees are not required to meet quotas that interfere with mandatory rest or meal periods and bathroom breaks.

Assembly Bill 397 requires the Employment Development Department to provide notice before disqualifying an unemployment claim so the individual can correct any mistakes.

A few pieces of legislation extend COVID-19-era practices.

Assembly Bill 37 requires vote-by-mail ballots to be sent to every registered voter for each election.

Under Senate Bill 389, eligible businesses can sell alcoholic beverages to-go with meals until Dec. 30, 2026, extending a practice allowed under COVID-19 restrictions.

Noozhawk staff writer Serena Guentz can be reached at sguentz@noozhawk.com.

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