2024 is just around the corner and here are a few new laws coming to California!
Effective January 1, 2024
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Campsite Reservations: Under this new law, campers will have their reservations fees and cost of the reservation's first night withheld if the reservation is canceled within two to six days. Campers who repeatedly cancel reservations or fail to show up will be limited for future reservations.
Gender-Neutral Toy Sections: Large retailers will soon have gender-neutral toy sections. The bill will help eliminate stereotypes and avoid products from being priced differently due to gender.
Speed Cameras: San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose will take part in a six city pilot program where cameras will be installed to enforce speed limits and deter speeding in certain city areas - including school zones. Camera installation will begin in January, but will take time for each city to install all of them.
Expanded Paid Sick Leave: Employees are required to receive no less than 24 hours/3 days of sick leave by the 120th calendar day of employment and no less than 40 hours/5 days of sick leave by the 200th day of employment.
Reproductive Loss Leave: Under this new law, employees who experience reproductive loss - including miscarriages, failed adoptions, failed surrogacy or failed IVF - are entitled to up to five days of leave. Employers are not required to provide paid leave. However, employees are able to use vacation, sick hours, etc.
Cannabis Use: Employers will no longer be able to punish employees for using cannabis off the clock. However, employees can still be punished for coming into work high. Additionally, it will be illegal for employers to discriminate against future job applicants over past cannabis use.
Concealed Carry: The minimum age to carry a concealed weapon will increase from 18 to 21. The measure will also prohibit guns in playgrounds, schools and banks.
San Francisco Housing: California will be subjecting San Francisco to a higher level of scrutiny when it comes to state-mandated housing goals. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, "Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said he decided to subject his own city to a higher level of scrutiny because it has proven to be so slow to approve new housing."
Effective June 1, 2024
Minimum Wage Increases: Healthcare workers minimum wage will become $23 on June 1, 2024 and gradually increase from $18 to $25 in the next few years, depending on the healthcare facility. Additionally, fast-food workers will begin receiving a minimum wage of $20 starting in April 2024 and continue to increase 3.5% a year by 2029.
Security Deposit Cap for Renters: Under this new law, landlords will be limited to require just one month's rent as a security deposit for renters. The current law allows two to three months rent for security deposits based on the unit.