Measures Expand Worker Rights, Regulate Technology, Strengthen Protections for Students and Renters.
A sweeping package of new California laws set to take effect in 2026 will expand consumer protections, lower health care costs, regulate artificial intelligence, and strengthen public safety and accountability, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday.
The measures, approved during the most recent legislative session, span education, health care, housing, immigration, labor rights, technology, and environmental policy. Newsom’s office said the laws reflect the state’s continued focus on affordability, transparency,and protections for vulnerable communities.
Several laws focus on student well-being and access to resources. Under AB 727, public middle schools, high schools, and public colleges will be required to include the Trevor Project’s 24-hour crisis hotline on student identification cards, expanding access to suicide prevention and mental health support for LGBTQ youth. The measure also directs education agencies to maintain resources addressing discrimination and harassment.
Another first-in-the-nation law, AB 1264, will prohibit the most concerning ultra-processed foods from being served in public schools, a move aimed at improving student nutrition and long-term health.
To support literacy, AB 1454 expands access to training and instructional tools for teachers and school leaders. Meanwhile, SB 640 establishes a direct admissions process within the California State University system, notifying eligible high school students of automatic admission and improving transfer pathways from community colleges.
New health laws target affordability and access. Beginning January 1, 2026, SB 40 will require large state-regulated health plans to cap insulin copays at $35 for a 20-day supply.
AB 55 eases licensing requirements for alternative birth centers, improving access to midwifery services, while AB 836 directs funding toward statewide midwifery workforce training. SB 646 expands access to prenatal multivitamins, and SB 669 establishes a 10-year pilot program to provide standby perinatal services at selected rural hospitals.
Families facing emergencies will also see expanded support under AB 798, which broadens the state’s emergency food bank reserve program to include diapers and wipes.
Schools will be required to post information about students’ rights related to immigration enforcement under AB 419, reinforcing that all children are entitled to a free public education.
The Family Preparedness Act, AB 495, strengthens protections for families facing emergencies by safeguarding privacy and limiting the collection of immigration-related information at child care facilities.
Starting in 2026, AB 628 will require landlords to provide working refrigerators in rental units. Another housing-related law, SB 79, mandates that cities and counties adopt long-term planning strategies that include housing development as a required element.
California will implement a statewide ban on non-therapeutic cat declawing under AB 867, allowing the procedure only when medically necessary and performed by a licensed veterinarian.
Lawmakers also targeted so-called puppy mill practices. AB 506 increases disclosure requirements for pet sellers, while AB 519 prohibits third-party pet brokers from selling animals bred by others for profit. SB 312 strengthens oversight of dog imports by requiring electronic health certificates.
Workplace-related laws include AB 250, which temporarily lifts the statute of limitations for adult survivors of workplace sexual assault cover-ups, allowing civil claims to be filed between January 2026 and December 2027.
Equal pay enforcement is expanded under SB 642, which broadens definitions of unlawful pay practices and extends the statute of limitations.
Several measures regulate artificial intelligence. AB 489 bars AI chatbots from posing as licensed professionals, while AB 621 strengthens protections against AI-generated sexual exploitation.
SB 53 requires large AI developers to maintain documented risk-mitigation strategies, and SB 243 mandates safeguards for minors using AI chatbots, including disclosures that chatbots are not real people. SB 524 requires law enforcement agencies to disclose when AI tools are used to draft police reports.
Food delivery platforms will face new consumer and worker protection requirements under AB 578, including clearer pay disclosures, limits on tip use, guaranteed refunds for failed orders and access to human customer service representatives.
Environmental updates include SB 1053, which tightens California’s plastic bag regulations by closing loopholes that allowed thicker plastic film bags to be marketed as reusable. The law requires retailers to transition to durable reusable bags or recycled-content paper bags.
State officials said the laws are designed to strengthen protections while addressing rising costs and emerging technologies, with implementation rolling out throughout 2026.
