California Introduces 38 New Laws for 2025

Several new laws are set to come into effect in California in 2025, impacting millions of residents.

During the state's latest two-year legislative session, nearly 5,000 bills were introduced, with almost half failing without a vote.

Some 1,200 were passed in 2024, though Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed 200 of them. Those that come into effect this year, which Newsweek has rounded up below, include everything from protections for actors in Hollywood against artificial intelligence to parking restrictions.

Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference on October 27, 2021, in Oakland, California. Dozens of new laws are coming into effect in the state in 2025. Jeff Chiu/AP

"California's new laws tackle today's biggest emerging challenges head-on. Through partnership with the Legislature, we're strengthening public safety, building more housing, and providing more resources for our communities. These practical reforms protect what matters most while creating more opportunities for all Californians," Newsom said in a press release on December 29.

AI in Hollywood

AB 2602 makes it illegal to use artificial intelligence to duplicate an actor's voice or likeness without their consent.

AB 1836 prohibits using deceased actors' voices or likenesses without the consent of their estate.

This follows the SAG-AFTRA actors strike in 2023 over the use of artificial intelligence (AI), among other issues.

Cannabis

AB 1775 allows cities and counties to permit existing cannabis retailers and consumption lounges to sell freshly prepared non-cannabis food and beverages, provided they obtain local government approval and licensing in compliance with the California Retail Food Code.

Currently, cannabis retailers with consumption areas can sell prepackaged food and drinks if authorized by local authorities.

Housing

SB 450 removes specific zoning restrictions, simplifying the process for homeowners to divide their properties into up to four separate units.

SB 1395, known as the Interim Housing Act, streamlines the construction of tiny homes by cities to provide shelter for homeless residents.

AB 2347 extends the response time for tenants facing eviction from five business days to 10. Catherine Rodman, a lawyer and director of Affordable Housing Advocates, told NBC 7: "This will give all those people a fighting chance to weigh in on an eviction and let the judge consider both sides of a case rather than just the landlord's. So, I think it'll make a huge difference."

According to February 2024 numbers from the Public Policy Institute of California, renters make up the larger share of households in California at roughly 44 percent, which is higher than the national average of 35 percent.

Cars

AB 413, commonly referred to as the "daylighting" law, will change the way people park their cars. From January 1, California residents will no longer be allowed to park a vehicle within 20 feet of any unmarked or marked crosswalk or 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present. There will be a 60-day grace period before citations are issued for breaking the new law.

SB 1100 will make it illegal for a job posting to require applicants to have a valid driver's license.

SB 905 eliminates the "locked door loophole," which required prosecutors to prove car doors were locked when a burglary took place. This gives prosecutors more flexibility to address auto burglary and thefts.

Consumer

AB 2863 mandates that, starting July 1, companies offering auto-renewal services must allow customers to cancel their subscriptions using the same method they used to subscribe.

AB 375 requires food delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats to provide customers with the first name and photo of their delivery driver, effective March 1, 2025.

Crime

AB 3209 allows retail stores to obtain restraining orders against individuals convicted of stealing, vandalizing or assaulting an employee at that store.

AB 1779 enables California district attorneys to work together to consolidate charges for suspects involved in retail theft crimes across multiple counties.

AB 1960 establishes sentencing enhancements for damaging or destroying property valued over $50,000 during the commission of a felony.

SB 1242 designates setting a fire within a merchant's premises during organized retail theft as an aggravating factor, leading to longer sentences for those convicted.

SB 1414 raises the classification for soliciting or paying for sex with a minor under 16 from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Education/Civil Rights

AB 1955 prohibits school districts from implementing policies that require educators to inform parents if students identify as transgender or request to use a different name.

AB 1821 mandates that California public schools teach about the impact of the Mission Period and Gold Rush on California Native Americans.

AB 1780 bans legacy admissions at colleges receiving state funding.

SB 639 requires health care professionals caring for people aged 65 and older to complete continuing education in geriatrics and dementia care.

AB 1825, known as the Freedom to Read Act, prevents public libraries from banning books based on race, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status or political affiliation of the book's subject, author or intended audience.

AB 2867 will help California residents recover art and other personal property stolen during the Holocaust or as a result of other acts of political persecution.

AB 1815 will expand civil rights by recognizing both multiple forms of discrimination and protecting traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles.

Employment

SB 988 enhances protections for independent contractors by requiring payment on or before the date outlined in their contract, or within 30 days of service completion if no date is specified.

SB 1105 allows agricultural workers to use paid sick days to protect themselves from the harmful effects of working in hazardous conditions, such as smoke or extreme heat.

AB 2499 allows employees to take paid state leave for issues related to being a victim, without using vacation time first. Employers must also provide accommodations to ensure the employee's safety and allow time off to attend court proceedings.

Firearms

AB 2917 allows threats made toward a group or location to be considered in court when deciding whether to issue a restraining order that prohibits an individual from purchasing or possessing a firearm or ammunition.

AB 574 requires the sale or transfer record for a firearm to include a confirmation by the purchaser or transferee that, within the last 30 days, they have verified possession of all firearms they own or possess.

AB 1483 removes the exemption for private party transactions in the prohibition on purchasing more than one firearm within a 30-day period.

AB 1598 mandates that licensed firearm dealers provide safety pamphlets to purchasers, transferees and those borrowing firearms. The pamphlet will include information on the risks of having a firearm in the home, such as the increased likelihood of death by suicide, homicide or unintentional injury.

Health

SB 729 mandates insurance coverage for fertility services including IVF, expanding access to include LGBTQ+ families.

AB 2515 prohibits the sale of tampons and other menstrual products containing potentially harmful chemicals.

AB 1902 requires pharmacies to offer accessible prescription labels for individuals who are blind, have low vision or have print disabilities.

AB 2475 allows the state to increase the time it can hold prisoners in hospital for mental health treatment from five days to 30 days after a judge determines they should be released.

SB 1061 includes banning medical debt from appearing on people's credit reports.

Money

The minimum wage is set to increase from $16 to $16.50 per hour in California in 2025 thanks to new legislation.

AB 2017 prohibits state-chartered banks from charging customers fees for attempting to withdraw funds when their accounts have insufficient balances.

SB 764 requires parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children to set aside part of the earnings for them, and AB 1880 extends the Coogan Law to cover minors working as content creators on platforms like YouTube. These new laws mandate that parents and guardians create a trust for their children's earnings, maintain records of their children's screen time and earnings and ensure transparency regarding monetized content.