A new year brings new laws for California residents, with many taking effect on Thursday, Jan. 1. Here are some of the changes set for 2026.
Everyday Costs and Consumer Protections
The state is expanding its ban on single-use plastic bags with Senate Bill 1053, to include all plastic bags.
Single-use plastic bags had already been banned in much of California for years, however legislators said a legal loophole allowed thicker plastic bags to be sold in grocery stores under the classification of “re-usable.”
Stores will only be allowed to offer recycled paper bags at checkout.
Assembly Bill 578 requires food delivery apps like UberEats and DoorDash to offer refunds in clear cases such as undelivered or incorrect orders.
AB 1299 makes parking tickets more forgiving by allowing agencies to reduce or waive fines for hardship (e.g. homelessness, low income) and offers more payment plans.
SB 1075 limits credit union overdraft fees for insufficient funds to $14 per item, aligning them with a law already in place for banks.
Starting July 1, the “No More Loud Commercials” law will require streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu to match commercial ad volume to the content being watched.
Starting Oct. 1, SB 766 will offer enhanced protection for consumers purchasing cars, by requiring price transparency, banning junk fees, and giving used car buyers a three-day right to return.
Health Care
The Insulin Affordability Act, or SB 40, will effectively limit the cost of insulin to $35 for a 30-day supply. It also stops insurance plans for requiring patients to try alternatives first before getting insulin covered.
AB 82, known as the Safe and Secure Health Data Act, blocks California providers from reporting prescriptions like testosterone or mifepristone to the state’s drug monitoring program. It also expands privacy protections for people receiving reproductive or gender-affirming care.
SB 729 requires large employer health plans to cover infertility treatment, including IVF, while expanding access for same-sex couples, single parents, and others.
SB 27 expands California’s CARE Court program to include people with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and makes it easier to connect individuals from the justice system to mental health care.
Work, Pay and Labor rules
California’s statewide minimum wage is increasing from $16.50 to $16.90 per hour in January. Higher minimums already apply to fast food workers and certain other industries.
SB 648 will ban employers from taking credit card processing fees out of gratuities and require tips be paid out in full. It also gives the Labor Commissioner stronger enforcement tools to go after tip theft.
AB 692 bans most “stay-or-pay” clauses in job contracts that require workers to repay bonuses, training, or relocation costs if they leave.
AB 1340 gives rideshare drivers in California, including those working for Uber and Lyft, the right to organize and collectively bargain through driver organizations of their choice, even while remaining classified as independent contractors.
Effective Feb. 1, SB 294 requires California employers to give workers a written notice of their rights, including during immigration or law enforcement encounters, and lets employees name someone to be contacted if they’re detained or arrested at work.
Housing and Renters
AB 628 requires landlords to provide and maintain a working stove and refrigerator in rental units as basic necessities, not optional amenities. Tenants can still use their own appliances if agreed to in writing.
A new law will add eviction protections for Social Security recipients if they cannot pay because their benefits were interrupted through no fault of their own.
SB 610 requires landlords to handle cleanup of mold, smoke, ash, or water damage in rental units after disasters, and to return unused rent or deposits if a tenancy ends. Mobilehome park residents also gain buyback rights and longer notice periods if parks are damaged or sold.
Food & Labeling
Under AB 1830, some manufacturers of corn tortillas and corn masa products will be required to add folic acid to their products to help prevent certain birth defects, particularly in communities with higher risk.
Effective July 1, AB 660 will prohibit the sale of any food item (except eggs and infant formula) for human consumption in California that is not labeled using the terms “best if used by” or “best if frozen by,” or labeled for food safety using the terms “use by” or “use or freeze by.”
The bill also prohibits the use of consumer-facing “sell by” dates, eliminating a source of consumer confusion that would lead to the disposal of wholesome, nutritious food.
Also effective July 1, SB 68 will require chain restaurants (20+ locations) in California to clearly list major food allergens for each menu item.
Education and Schools
SB 640 creates a streamlined path for high school seniors to gain automatic admission to most California State University campuses. Starting with the 2026 admissions cycle, eligible students—those with at least a 2.5 GPA and completed A-G coursework—will receive direct offers through CaliforniaColleges.edu, with no separate application required.
Starting July 1, AB 3216 mandates that all public schools in California adopt policies to limit or ban smartphone use during school hours.
Also starting July 1, SB 760 requires all California public and charter schools to provide at least one open and accessible all-gender restroom during school hours.
New State Holiday
AB 268 makes Diwali an official state holiday in California starting in 2026, giving public schools and state workers the option to take the day off. In 2026, Diwali falls on Sunday, Nov. 8.
Tech, Privacy and AI
Under SB 524, police departments must disclose when generative AI is used to help write a report and ensure a human officer signs off on its accuracy. The law also protects privacy by banning AI vendors from using or sharing law enforcement data, and requires agencies to keep records of how the AI was used.
AB 621 increases penalties for deepfake pornography, and makes it easier to sue over non-consensual explicit content. It also holds platforms accountable if they knowingly support deepfake services and fail to act after being notified.
SB 243 requires AI chatbots that mimic human conversation to clearly say they’re not human, blocks them from generating harmful content, and adds extra protections for minors.
AB 656 mandates that social media companies offer a simple delete button that lets users remove their accounts and personal data. The law also bans manipulative design tricks that make it harder to delete an account.
Starting Aug. 2, The California AI Transparency Act or SB 942 will require large AI platforms to offer a free tool for detecting AI-generated images, video or audio, and to label that content with visible and embedded disclosures.
Pets and Animals
Starting in January, AB 478 will require shelters to hold rescued pets for at least 30 days after an emergency before adopting them out or transferring them, and makes cities post pet emergency information online.
AB 867 bans cat declawing in California unless it’s medically necessary to treat a health condition.
SB 221 updates the state’s stalking law so threats against someone’s pet or support animal count as credible threats that can be prosecuted.
To help address the ongoing national shortage of veterinarians, California lawmakers passed two new bills expanding the role of registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) and veterinary assistants.
New laws aiming to protect pet buyers include AB 506, which requires sellers to give written details about a pet’s breeder, origin and health history, and also bans non-refundable deposits. AB 519 prohibits businesses from profiting off animals they didn’t breed themselves, which targets puppy mills and third-party sellers.
Firearms
Signed into law in 2024, but effective Jan. 1, SB 53 will require all firearms in California homes to be securely stored unless they are being carried or directly controlled by an authorized user. That means using a California DOJ-approved locking device or gun safe, even when no children or prohibited people are present.
AB 1263 tightens California’s rules on ghost guns by expanding sales restrictions on many common firearm parts, and requiring stricter ID and delivery checks. The law also increases liability for manufacturers and sellers, including those sharing digital gun‑making files, with the goal of making untraceable firearms harder to build.
Starting on July 1 and also known as California’s “Glock Ban,” AB 1127 stops gun dealers from selling certain pistols that can be easily turned into fully automatic weapons.
Also starting July 1, SB 704 will require all standalone gun barrels, including unfinished ones, to be sold in person through a licensed firearms dealer with background checks and transaction records.
Public Safety
SB 805 will require off-duty or plainclothes officers in California to visibly display identification when performing enforcement duties. ID must show the name of the agency, and either a name or badge number. It also expands the crime of impersonating a peace officer and allows officers to request ID from anyone claiming to be law enforcement.
SB 627 prohibits federal and local law enforcement officers from wearing face masks while conducting official duties.
AB 250 will give some adult survivors of sexual assault a temporary two-year window to file lawsuits that would otherwise be time-barred.
Immigration
SB 81 will strengthen patient privacy in health care settings by treating immigration status and place of birth as protected medical information and limiting access by immigration authorities to non‑public areas without a valid warrant or court order.
AB 495, known as the Family Preparedness Plan Act, will make it easier for parents to arrange care for their children during emergencies by expanding who can be named as a caregiver and creating a short-term joint guardianship option through the courts. It also stops schools and licensed child care facilities from collecting immigration status information.