New California Laws 2025: What Every Resident Needs To Know

California has enacted nearly 1,000 new laws in recent years. Many of these changes affect daily life for millions of residents. This guide explains the most important new laws and how they impact you.

From shopping and banking to housing and healthcare, these laws touch every part of life in California. Understanding these changes helps you stay informed and avoid legal problems.

Major Consumer Protection Laws

Medical Debt Protection (SB 1061)

Medical debt can no longer appear on credit reports in California. This protects people who get sick from financial harm.

Credit agencies cannot include medical debt on your credit score. Banks and lenders cannot use medical debt when deciding whether to approve loans. This law helps people get housing, jobs, and credit after medical emergencies.

The law does not cover cosmetic procedures. It only protects debt from necessary medical care. Debt on credit cards is not covered by this law.

Banking Fee Protection (AB 2017)

State-chartered banks and credit unions cannot charge fees for declined transactions when you have insufficient funds. These are called “junk fees” or overdraft fees.

If your debit card is declined because you do not have enough money, the bank cannot charge you extra. This saves consumers from surprise fees that make money problems worse.

This law only applies to banks regulated by California. It does not cover all banks or credit unions.

Subscription Service Protection (AB 2863)

Companies must make canceling subscriptions as easy as signing up. This law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Businesses offering free trials must get clear permission before charging customers. They must send reminders about recurring charges. Companies must notify customers about price changes.

You must be able to cancel online if you signed up online. Companies cannot force you to call or visit a store to cancel.

Retail Theft and Crime Laws

Stricter Theft Penalties

California passed ten new laws to crack down on retail theft and property crimes. These laws create harsher penalties for repeat offenders.

Police can now arrest someone for shoplifting based on probable cause. Officers do not need to witness the theft personally. Stores can request restraining orders against people who repeatedly steal from them.

Prosecutors can now charge people with crimes across different counties in a single court. This makes it easier to prosecute organized theft rings.

Enhanced Sentences

People who sell stolen property worth $50,000 or more face enhanced sentences. Smash-and-grab robberies are now classified as felonies regardless of the dollar amount stolen.

Anyone who commits arson while stealing receives stiffer sentences. These laws target organized retail crime that has hurt many California businesses.

Housing and Tenant Protection Laws

Eviction Response Time (AB 2347)

Tenants now have 10 days to respond to eviction notices instead of five days. This doubles the previous deadline that was in place since 1971.

The extra time helps tenants find legal help and gather evidence. Many tenants lost their homes because five days was too short to respond properly.

Tenants must still respond in writing within 10 business days. Missing this deadline can still result in eviction.

Security Deposit Rules

Landlords must now document apartment conditions with photos when collecting security deposits. This protects tenants from unfair charges when they move out.

Tenants can now report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus to boost their credit scores. This helps renters build good credit history.

Cannabis and Entertainment Laws

Cannabis Cafes (AB 1775)

California now allows cannabis cafes that serve food and host live entertainment. This creates an Amsterdam-style experience for marijuana users.

Licensed dispensaries can now prepare and serve non-cannabis food and beverages. They can also sell tickets to live performances and host entertainment events.

Local cities and counties must still approve these businesses. The state law allows it, but local governments decide whether to permit cannabis cafes in their areas.

Entertainment Zones

Local jurisdictions can now create “entertainment zones” where people can drink alcohol on public streets and sidewalks. This helps bars and restaurants serve customers outdoors.

These zones must be approved by local governments. Not all cities will allow this type of outdoor drinking.

Workplace and Employment Laws

Minimum Wage Increase

California’s minimum wage increased to $16.50 per hour on January 1, 2025. This applies to all employers regardless of company size.

Fast food and healthcare workers have higher minimum wages. Many cities and counties also have higher local minimum wage rates.

The salary threshold for exempt employees increased to $68,640 annually. Employers must review their pay structures to ensure compliance.

Paid Family Leave Changes (AB 2123)

Employers cannot require workers to use vacation time before accessing Paid Family Leave benefits. Previously, employers could require up to two weeks of vacation first.

Workers can now keep their vacation time when taking family leave. This helps families deal with serious illnesses or new babies without losing earned vacation.

Worker Protection from Meetings (SB 399)

Employers cannot hold mandatory “captive audience” meetings about religious or political matters, including unionization. This protects workers from forced political discussions.

Workers have the right to refuse attendance at these meetings. Employers cannot punish employees for skipping political or religious presentations.

Education and Student Protection Laws

Student Privacy Protection (AB 1955)

Educators cannot disclose students’ sexual orientation or gender identity without consent. This protects LGBTQ+ students from forced “outing.”

Teachers and administrators must get student permission before sharing this information with parents. The law ensures student safety and dignity in schools.

Native American History Education (AB 1805, AB 1821)

Public schools must now teach about Mendez v. Westminster, a 1947 court case that helped end school segregation. Schools must also teach about Spanish colonization and the Gold Rush Era’s effects on Native Americans.

These requirements ensure students learn accurate California history. The curriculum must include perspectives of Native American communities.

University Admissions Changes (AB 1780)

Universities cannot consider legacy or donor status when deciding admissions. This creates a more level playing field for all applicants.

Private colleges and universities must submit annual reports showing compliance. This law expands rules that were already in place at public universities.

Transportation and Safety Laws

Parking and Crosswalk Safety (AB 413)

Cars cannot park within 20 feet of marked or unmarked crosswalks. This improves visibility and pedestrian safety at intersections.

Drivers can get tickets for blocking crosswalk sight lines. Parking within 15 feet of crosswalks with curb extensions is also prohibited.

This “daylighting” law makes it easier for drivers to see pedestrians crossing the street.

Auto Insurance Requirements (SB 1107)

Minimum liability insurance coverage increased significantly for California drivers. The new minimums are:

$30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person
$60,000 for bodily injury or death of all persons
$15,000 for property damage

Previous minimums were $15,000, $30,000, and $5,000 respectively. This provides better protection for accident victims.

Technology and Artificial Intelligence Laws

AI Protection for Actors

Contracts must now specify the use of artificial intelligence to replicate an actor’s voice or likeness. This protects performers from unauthorized AI copying.

New laws ban sexually explicit AI-generated deepfakes. Victims can sue, and platforms must remove such content quickly.

Food Delivery Safety (AB 375)

Food delivery apps must provide customers with the first name and photo of their delivery driver. This information appears once an order is out for delivery.

This law increases safety and accountability for food delivery services. It takes effect March 1, 2025.

Child Protection Laws

Child Influencer Protections

Parents managing child influencers must now save part of their children’s earnings in trust accounts. Two new laws protect children who perform in online content.

The Coogan Law now extends to minors who work as content creators. At least 15% of gross earnings must go into a trust account.

These laws prevent financial abuse of children who make money from social media content.

Healthcare and Mental Health Laws

Emergency Room Worker Protection

California imposed harsher penalties for assaulting emergency room workers. This responds to rising attacks on healthcare workers.

Healthcare workers face increasing violence at work. The new law provides stronger legal protection for medical professionals.

Menstrual Product Access (AB 1810)

Incarcerated women now have full access to menstrual products without asking guards for permission. This prevents sexual harassment tied to requesting period supplies.

Women in prisons and jails can obtain pads and tampons directly. They do not need to ask permission from prison guards.

Penalties and Consequences

Breaking these new laws can result in various penalties:

Consumer Protection Violations:

Banks charging illegal fees face regulatory penalties
Subscription service violations can result in consumer lawsuits

Retail Theft:

Enhanced sentences for repeat offenders
Felony charges for organized theft operations
Restraining orders preventing store access

Housing Law Violations:

Landlords face penalties for improper eviction procedures
Security deposit violations can result in tenant lawsuits

Employment Law Violations:

Wage and hour violations result in labor board complaints
Captive audience meeting violations can trigger lawsuits

Education Violations:

Schools face compliance reviews for curriculum requirements
Student privacy violations can result in investigations

Special Circumstances

Implementation Dates

Most laws took effect January 1, 2025. Some exceptions include:

Food delivery safety rules start March 1, 2025
Subscription service protections start July 1, 2025

Local Government Authority

Many laws allow local cities and counties to decide implementation:

Cannabis cafes need local approval
Entertainment zones require local permits
Parking enforcement varies by jurisdiction

Federal vs. State Coverage

Some laws only apply to state-regulated businesses:

Banking fee protections cover state-chartered banks only
Insurance requirements apply to all California drivers

How to Stay Compliant

For Consumers

Review your subscription services and cancellation policies
Check your credit report for medical debt removal
Understand your rights as a tenant or worker

For Businesses

Update employment policies for new wage requirements
Review subscription and cancellation procedures
Train staff on new retail theft reporting procedures

For Families

Learn about new student privacy protections
Understand child performer earning requirements
Review auto insurance coverage levels

Getting Help and Resources

If you need legal assistance with these new laws:

Contact California’s Department of Consumer Affairs
Reach out to local legal aid organizations
Consult with employment law attorneys for workplace issues

For housing problems:

Contact your local tenant rights organization
Reach out to legal aid for eviction assistance
File complaints with housing authorities

For consumer protection issues:

File complaints with the California Attorney General
Contact the Department of Financial Protection
Report violations to regulatory agencies

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the banking fee protections apply to all banks?

No. The law only covers state-chartered banks and credit unions. Many banks are federally regulated and not covered by this law.

Can my employer still require overtime for low-paid workers?

Yes. The minimum wage increase does not change overtime requirements. Workers still get overtime pay for hours over 40 per week or 8 per day.

Do I automatically get a cannabis cafe in my city?

No. Local cities and counties must approve these businesses. The state law allows them, but local governments make the final decision.

Will medical debt disappear from my credit report immediately?

Credit agencies must remove medical debt from reports. Contact credit agencies directly if old medical debt still appears.

Can my child’s school still contact me about their activities?

Yes. Schools cannot share sexual orientation or gender identity without student consent. They can still contact parents about academic performance, attendance, and other school matters.

Final Thoughts

California’s new laws for 2025 address many important issues facing residents. From protecting consumers to fighting crime, these changes aim to improve daily life.

Stay informed about laws that affect your situation. Whether you are a renter, worker, parent, or business owner, understanding these changes helps you make better decisions.

Remember that some laws have delayed implementation dates. Check specific requirements for your situation. When in doubt, consult with legal professionals for guidance.

These laws represent California’s ongoing efforts to protect residents and adapt to changing times. By staying informed, you can take advantage of new protections and avoid potential legal problems.