California’s New Frontier: A Comprehensive Guide to Laws Taking Effect in 2024

California is known for its progressive legislation, and 2024 is no exception. A variety of new laws will take effect after March 2024, impacting various aspects of life, from employment and housing to public safety and health care. This article provides an in-depth look at these new laws and their implications for Californians.

Employment and Workers’ Rights

Minimum Wage Increases

Several laws will increase the minimum wage for specific sectors:

• AB 1228: Starting in April 2024, fast food workers will see their minimum wage rise to $20 per hour. This law also establishes a fast-food council to determine future wage increases and working conditions for the next five years.

• SB 525: By June 2024, health care workers, including nursing assistants and medical technicians, will have their minimum wage increased to $23 per hour. This wage will continue to rise by $1 each year until it reaches $25 per hour.

Expanded Sick Leave

• SB 616: This law increases the minimum number of paid sick days from three to five for all full-time and part-time workers in California. Both hourly and salaried employees are eligible for this benefit.

Protections Against Retaliation and Discrimination

• SB 497: Strengthens protections for employees who discuss or inquire about wages, making it easier to establish claims of employer retaliation.

• SB 699: Expands the prohibition of non-compete contracts, rendering them unenforceable even if signed in another state. Employers must notify employees hired after January 1, 2022, that their non-compete clauses are void.

• AB 2188: Makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees based on their off-duty cannabis use. Similarly, SB 700 prohibits employers from asking job applicants about their cannabis use.

Housing and Tenant Protections

Security Deposits and Evictions

• AB 12: Limits the amount landlords can charge for a security deposit to one month’s rent, making it less financially burdensome for tenants to secure housing.

• SB 567: Modifies the “no fault just cause” eviction law, requiring property owners or their family members to move into a property within 90 days and live there for at least 12 months if they evict a tenant for owner move-in.

Affordable Housing Initiatives

• SB 4: Removes regulatory barriers to allow religious organizations and non-profit colleges to build affordable housing on their land, facilitating the development of more affordable housing units.

Public Safety and Criminal Justice

Gun Control and Violence Prevention

• SB 2: Imposes new limits on concealed carry firearm permit holders to enhance public safety.

• AB 28: Introduces an 11% tax on firearms and ammunition to fund violence prevention programs.

Enhanced Penalties for Serious Crimes

• SB 14: Classifies child sex trafficking as a serious felony, which could result in life imprisonment for repeat offenders.

• AB 701: Increases jail time for those trafficking more than a kilogram of fentanyl.

Health and Reproductive Rights

Reproductive Health Protections

• SB 345: Protects providers and individuals from enforcement actions based on other states’ laws that criminalize or limit reproductive and gender-affirming health care services.

• AB 848: Requires employers to provide five days of leave for employees experiencing reproductive loss, including miscarriage and failed adoption.

Consumer Protections

Transparency and Accessibility

• AB 783: Mandates businesses to display signage on single-user restrooms indicating they are available to all genders, promoting inclusivity.

• AB 1740: Requires child care facilities and pediatric care providers to post information about human trafficking and slavery, including available resources for victims.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Road Safety

• AB 413: Aims to enhance crosswalk safety by prohibiting vehicles from stopping or parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk approach or 15 feet from a curb extension. Initially, only warnings will be issued, but citations will start in 2025.

Conclusion

The new laws taking effect in California in 2024 reflect the state’s commitment to enhancing workers’ rights, increasing affordable housing, improving public safety, and protecting health and reproductive rights. These changes aim to create a more equitable and safe environment for all Californians. As these laws come into effect, residents and businesses alike will need to stay informed and adapt to the new legal landscape.