Overview
- A broad slate of laws took effect July 1, putting into force tiered health-care worker wage increases that set pay at $25, $23 or $22 per hour depending on the type of facility.
- Every school district must adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting smartphone use and most K–12 schools must offer at least one all-gender restroom while student IDs must display the suicide-prevention hotline.
- Manufacturers selling food in California must use only “Best if Used By” for quality or “Use By” for safety, with most “sell-by” and similar phrases banned and exemptions for items like infant formula, eggs and beer.
- Assembly Bill 1777 allows law enforcement to cite driverless vehicles, requires companies to report moving violations to the DMV within 72 hours, and mandates a two-way communication device so first responders can reach a remote operator on-scene.
- Local officials and businesses are beginning to adapt or resist the changes: Los Angeles has moved to oppose and delay SB 79’s zoning override near transit, while state agencies are rolling out enforcement and reporting procedures that will shape how quickly Californians feel the new rules.