Starting Jan. 1, 2025, many significant new laws will go into effect across California, impacting everything in daily life. Image by ATIX from Pixabay

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Starting Jan. 1, 2025, many significant new laws will go into effect across California, impacting everything in daily life from traffic regulations, employment, housing to healthcare.

Traffic Laws

Senate Bill 1107 will raise the minimum auto liability insurance requirements for California motorists. Currently, drivers must carry liability coverage of $15,000 for injury or death of one person, $30,000 for injury or death of multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage. Beginning Jan. 1, these requirements will increase to $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 for multiple persons and $15,000 for property damage.

Assembly Bill 413, commonly known as the "Daylighting Law," will take effect in 2025, banning drivers from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk. This law aims to improve pedestrian safety by providing clearer visibility at intersections. The law applies to both marked and unmarked crosswalks, and while cities are working to implement signage and curb markings, not all areas will have red-painted curbs in time for the new rule.

Senate Bill 905 closes the “locked door loophole” in California’s auto burglary laws. Under the new law, prosecutors no longer need to prove that a vehicle was locked in order to charge someone with burglary. Instead, they only need to show that forcible entry occurred. The change is expected to make it easier for victims of car break-ins to pursue legal action, with felony convictions carrying penalties ranging from 16 months to three years.

Employment Laws

A statewide minimum wage increase will take effect on Jan. 1, raising the rate to $16.50 per hour for all employees, regardless of company size. This adjustment is based on a cost-of-living provision built into California’s minimum wage law.

Senate Bill 1100 prohibits employers from requiring a valid driver’s license for job applicants unless driving is a core function of the role. Employers must also demonstrate that using alternative transportation would not be comparable in travel time or cost.

Housing Laws

Assembly Bill 2347 introduces stronger protections for renters by extending the timeline for tenants to respond to eviction notices. Under the new law, tenants will have 10 business days, up from the previous five-day deadline, to contest an eviction.

Starting in April, Senate Bill 611 will provide additional protections for renters in California by prohibiting landlords from charging tenants a fee for paying their rent or security deposit by check. In addition, landlords will be required to provide a written statement to tenants if they charge a security deposit that exceeds the standard amount.

Crime

Senate Bill 1414 introduces stricter penalties for individuals convicted of soliciting a minor for sex. The law raises the crime of soliciting or buying sex from minors under 16 from a misdemeanor to a felony, carrying more severe legal consequences. If the person solicited is under 16, or under 18 and a victim of human trafficking, the offense could be punishable by jail time of up to a year and a fine of up to $10,000 or a prison sentence ranging from 16 months to three years. For repeat offenders, the penalties are harsher, with mandatory felony charges and a prison sentence of 16 months to three years.

Education

In the education sector, Assembly Bill 1780 prohibits private nonprofit universities in California from considering legacy status in admissions. The ban, effective in September 2025, means that ties to donors or alumni will no longer play a role in college admissions decisions

Consumer Protection

In a move aimed at consumer protection, Assembly Bill 2863 will require companies offering auto-renewal services to provide customers with an easy option to cancel subscriptions. Starting July 1, 2025, consumers will be able to cancel their subscriptions by the same method they used to sign up

Health

A major update in healthcare comes with Senate Bill 729, which mandates that health insurance plans cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), starting July 1, 2025.

Senate Bill 1061 will protect consumers by prohibiting credit reporting agencies from including medical debt on their credit reports, ensuring that such debt cannot negatively impact individuals’ credit scores.

Assembly Bills 1817 and 2771 will ban the use of harmful chemicals known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in clothing, textiles and cosmetics sold in California. These chemicals, which have been linked to serious health issues such as liver damage, thyroid disease, reproductive problems and cancer, will no longer be allowed in products.