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New year, new laws!
Here are a few new laws taking effect on January 1, 2023:
- Wage Transparency - Companies with 15 or more employees will be required to include salary ranges for job postings. Employees will also have the right to know the pay scale of their current position.
- Bereavement Leave - Workers will receive up to five days of bereavement leave for the death of a close family member. May be unpaid for companies without bereavement leave policies. Sick time may also be used.
- Family Care - Workers can take family care or medical leave for an expanded group of people, including those related by blood or those "equivalent to a family relationship."
- State of Emergency - Employers cannot retaliate against or discipline an employee if they refuse to work or leave the workplace because they believe the workplace is unsafe. "The law defines an emergency as a natural disaster or criminal act. A health pandemic is not listed as an eligible emergency," according to ABC 7.
- Jaywalking - Law enforcement cannot stop or cite someone for jaywalking unless they're crossing the street in an "unsafe manner."
- Pink Tax - Businesses cannot charge women a "pink tax," which charges women extra more than men for certain products (shampoos, razors, etc).
- Stolen Goods - A website will be made where people can report stolen items on that are for sale online.
- Catalytic Converters - Prohibits anyone from buying catalytic converters from unauthorized parties.
- Rap Lyrics - Rap lyrics cannot be used as evidence in criminal trials.
- Street Vendors - This law makes it easier for street vendors to obtain permits and meet necessary health requirements to operate.
- Community Colleges - Recent immigrants will be able to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at community college either for free or a reduced fee.
- Abortion - Protects women from prosecution if the "end a pregnancy or undergo an abortion, even if it happens outside the medical system."
Lunar New Year, Juneteenth (June 19) and Genocide Remembrance Day (April 24) will all be designated holidays in California starting in 2023.
Courtesy of ABC 7. Get more information and see a full list of new laws here.