The California Legislature passed about 1,200 bills last year, including a surprise Republican victory that promises consumer protections and small advances for the entertainment industry.
In the end, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed about 84% of the bills he received. Many of these laws go into effect today, January 1st, as California begins the new year. Here are some things you need to know heading into 2025.
cannabis
Cannabis cafes are legal. Thanks to AB 1775, you can now hang out at a pharmacy just like you would at a restaurant or cafe. The new law brings an Amsterdam-style approach to marijuana use by allowing cannabis retailers to make and sell edibles and non-alcoholic beverages. In places known as cannabis cafes or lounges. Before the law, customers could smoke in some pharmacies, but businesses were only allowed to sell prepackaged snacks and drinks. Some health concerns say the law is a step backwards, given the risks of second-hand smoke.
artificial intelligence
Actors are protected from AI imitation. It is now mandatory to draw up a contract specifying the use of artificial intelligence to reproduce an actor’s voice or likeness. Assembly Bill 2602 aims to protect the careers of performers and actors by preventing artificial intelligence from duplicating their voices and likenesses without their permission. In the summer of 2023, the actors and screenwriters union shut down Hollywood during a months-long strike that ultimately led to new contract negotiations regarding the industry’s use of artificial intelligence. Last year, courts also began questioning businesses that sell deepfakes of celebrity voices, with Scarlett Johansson raising concerns about AI voices resembling her own.
Dead actors’ voices will not be misused: Using a deceased actor’s voice, or a voice similar to that actor’s voice, without the consent of the estate’s heirs will result in a $10,000 fine. AB 1836 was sponsored by SAG-AFTRA and introduced in light of advances in artificial intelligence, which the union says can “easily replicate the human voice.”
Deepfakes containing sexually explicit images will be prohibited: Current revenge porn laws will now be expanded under SB 926 to prohibit the unauthorized distribution of artificially created sexually explicit images of real people. is prohibited. This law specifically applies if the intention is to cause serious emotional distress to the person depicted in the image. Earlier this year, Laguna Beach High School officials investigated students who disseminated sexually exploitative AI-generated images, and in Beverly Hills, a group of eighth-graders were accused of superimposing pictures of their classmates’ faces onto pseudo-nude bodies. He was expelled from school. artificial intelligence.
Social media platforms make it easier to report deepfakes. Thanks to SB 981, social media platforms are required to have a mechanism for reporting users who are unknowingly depicted with sexually explicit videos or images. The bill states that pornographic deepfakes are a “growing threat” to adults and teens on social media.
wages and personal finances
No more overdraft fees: Under AB 2017, state-chartered banks and credit unions now charge overdraft fees when customers make a withdrawal, purchase something with a debit card, or try to send a payment. We are prohibited from charging overdraft fees, also known as sufficient funds fees. The transaction is rejected because there are not enough funds. It was inspired by a similar proposal the Biden administration issued early last year.
Minimum wages are rising. Workers making the statewide minimum wage will see their hourly wages increase annually from $16 to $16.50 in 2024. This salary level may vary depending on the city or county you live in and the industry you work in. The minimum wage for fast food workers is currently $20 an hour, and some cities, including Los Angeles, require minimum wages of more than $17 in other sectors. 1 hour.
Workers who take family leave can receive more money. Workers making less than $63,000 a year will receive 90% of their pay during leave to bond with a newborn or care for a sick family member, while those making more will receive 70%. Based on SB 951, which was passed in 2022, a portion of the salary will be paid. Previously, low-wage workers were eligible for 70% of their pay during family leave, making it impossible for many to take family leave even if they did. They were paying into a disability insurance scheme that covered their benefits. The new, higher replacement wage will be paid by all workers who pay into the state’s disability income program. 1.2% of salary will be deducted in 2025, up from 1.1% in 2024.
housing
Increased time to respond to eviction notices: Tenants now have twice as much time to respond in writing to eviction notices. The previous statutory response time for legal action was 5 business days, but as a result of AB 2347, it has now been extended to 10 business days. Bill authors say giving tenants just five days to respond is “unusually short” and could often have consequences. This is a case where the landlord wins the case without the tenant ever going to court. The authors stated that extending response times would allow tenants more time to seek advice, gather evidence, and submit appropriate responses.
health care
Medical debt will no longer be included in your credit score. Credit agencies can no longer include medical debt on people’s credit reports under SB 1061. An estimated 40% of Americans have some form of medical debt that they can’t pay off. Supporters of the law argue that medical debt is a poor predictor of a person’s credit risk and can prevent individuals and families from finding housing, other necessities, or getting a job. he claimed.
Incarcerated women do not need permission to access menstrual products: Women in prisons and jails now have full access to menstrual products such as pads and tampons under AB 1810. By law, women can obtain these products without seeking permission from prison officials. , which is associated with reports of sexual harassment.
education
Children will learn about California’s vital history. Under AB 1805, public schools would be required to teach Mendez v. Westminster, a 1947 case involving a Mexican family from Orange County that fought for desegregation across California. . The bill’s authors emphasized the importance of teaching students about the case to “learn the civil rights challenges facing Mexican Americans in this state.”
Gender expression in schools: The first law in the nation would prohibit school districts from requiring staff and teachers to disclose to parents if a student begins using new pronouns or identifies as a different gender. AB 1955 also protects school officials from retaliation if they refuse to notify parents of their child’s gender preference. The policy was introduced in response to more than a dozen conservative-led school board policies that would require teachers to notify parents if a child’s name or pronouns are changed. The issue has sparked heated debate at statehouses and across school districts, with some parents angry that the state wants to keep them in the dark and LGBTQ+ activists calling for mandatory notification. argued that forcing students to leave would foster a “dangerous” environment.
safety
Parking becomes increasingly difficult and walking safer. California has stricter parking regulations under AB 413. Currently, police can ticket drivers who park within 20 feet (about the same length as a car) of a crosswalk. Drivers must abide by these rules regardless of whether the curb is painted red. The purpose of this law is to increase pedestrian visibility at busy intersections. Although the law has technically been in force since the beginning of 2024, police plan to start issuing fines to drivers from January.
New laws to curb retail theft: Over the summer, Congress passed a comprehensive package of 11 bills aimed at combating retail theft. Seven of these are currently in effect. These include: Retail stores can seek restraining orders against people who repeatedly steal from their stores. Prosecutors would be able to coordinate criminal charges against people across multiple counties and have them dealt with in a single court, and those who commit arson in the act of stealing would face harsher penalties. Read the Times’ extensive coverage of these new laws.
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