The new laws that will take effect in California in 2025

The state of California will experience a wave of legislative change in 2025, with more than 1,000 laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom addressing issues ranging from shoplifting to housing policy. Here’s a closer look at some of the key laws that will shape Californians’ daily lives in the coming year.

Worker protection

As climate change intensifies, lawmakers are addressing workplace safety. SB 1105 allows agricultural workers to take paid sick leave in hazardous conditions, such as extreme heat or smoke from wildfires. In addition, AB 2123 ensures that employees no longer have to exhaust accrued vacation before accessing California paid family leave.

Fighting theft

Lawmakers passed 11 new measures to combat commercial burglary in response to growing public concern over brazen thefts. Key laws include SB 905, which eliminates the requirement that victims prove their cars were locked in order to file theft charges, and AB 1779, which allows district attorneys to prosecute retail thefts in several counties. Other laws, such as AB 2943, crack down on large-scale possession of stolen property and make it easier to accumulate incidents of theft to meet the $950 felony threshold. Meanwhile, AB 3209 allows retailers to obtain restraining orders against repeat offenders. To further deter organized theft, SB 1416 increases penalties for large-scale operations, while SB 1144 requires online sellers to verify their identities to reduce the sale of stolen goods.

Parking and road safety

As of January 1, police will be able to fine drivers who park too close to crosswalks under AB 413. This law, which aims to improve visibility and pedestrian safety, prohibits parking within 20 feet of marked crosswalks, and fines vary by city. In San Francisco, for example, fines will start at $40.

Simplification of subscription cancellation

With AB 2863, Californians will be able to cancel subscriptions more easily. Beginning July 1, companies offering auto-renewal services will be required to give customers the option to cancel the subscription by the same method they used to subscribe, making the process easier for consumers.

Financial protection

Based on AB 2017, as of January 1, public banks will stop charging overdraft fees on unsuccessful withdrawal attempts.

Mental health

In the mental health arena, AB 2475 expands treatment plans for persons with serious mental illness who commit violent crimes, allowing for more comprehensive post-release care planning.

Shielding credit reports from medical debt

Medical debt will no longer appear on Californians’ credit reports under SB 1061, which takes effect January 1. This measure is intended to prevent individuals from being financially penalized for seeking necessary medical care.

Delivery transparency

In an effort to improve safety, AB 375 requires food delivery platforms such as DoorDash and Uber Eats to provide customers with the first name and photo of their delivery driver. This law will go into effect on March 1, 2025, offering greater peace of mind to customers.

Protection of student privacy

The legislature responded to controversial school district policies forcing educators to disclose student gender identity changes to parents. AB 1955, effective Jan. 1, prohibits such forced disclosure practices, safeguarding student privacy and autonomy.

Changes in legacy admissions

In a move toward educational equity, AB 1780 prohibits universities that receive state funding from giving preferential treatment to applicants with connections to alumni or donors. The policy, which will take effect in September 2025, will affect both public and private institutions, such as Stanford University.

Housing initiatives

Housing remains a priority as California faces a crisis. AB 2488 will allow San Francisco to create a downtown financing district to stimulate economic activity and alleviate the housing shortage. In addition, SB 1211 encourages the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) which will increase the number of units allowed in multifamily properties. To hold cities accountable, SB 1037 empowers the attorney general to sanction local governments that fail to comply with state housing mandates.

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