Below you will find a partial description of new laws for 2025.
Paid Family Leave
Assembly Bill (AB) 2123 brings significant changes to California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) Program. Starting January 1, 2025:
- Employers can no longer require employees to use up to two weeks of accrued vacation leave before accessing PFL benefits.
- The PFL Program provides state-run benefits to individuals who take time off to:
• Care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, or domestic partner,
• Bond with a new minor child, or
• Assist military family members on active duty
This adjustment ensures greater flexibility and autonomy for employees in managing their leave.
Jury Duty
AB 2499 strengthens protections for employees taking leave for jury duty, court appearances, or victim-related activities. Key provisions include:
- Enhanced rights for employees to take time off for these purposes
- A requirement for employers to provide clear notice of these rights, and
- The ability for employees to use accrued vacation or paid sick leave during such absences.
Crime
New legislation introduces stricter measures for various crimes:
- Flash-mob smash-and-grab robberies: Harsher sentences for offenders.
- Animal cruelty: Individuals convicted will be prohibited from owning firearms for 10 years.
- Domestic violence protections: Victims can file restraining orders promptly and keep their vehicle data private from abusers.
- Traffic safety: At least five speed cameras will be installed along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
- Sex offenses: The penalty for soliciting or purchasing sex from minors under 16 will now be classified as a felony.
- Public safety: Local law enforcement will receive better notifications regarding the release of sexually violent predators in their jurisdiction.
Business
- Plastic bag ban: Starting in 2026, all plastic shopping bags will be prohibited.
- Cannabis lounges: As of January 1, 2025, cannabis lounges where patrons can purchase the drug and enjoy meals or live entertainment will be legalized.
Health
- IVF coverage: Insurance providers will be required to cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.
- Accessible prescriptions: Pharmacies must provide prescription labels or supplemental documentation in accessible formats for patients with vision disabilities.
- Substance use treatment: California will expand the types of facilities permitted to treat individuals with substance use disorders.
Education
- Legacy admissions: Private, non-profit colleges and universities in California will be banned from offering legacy admissions.
- Smartphone restrictions: A new law will limit smartphone usage on school campuses to enhance focus and learning.
Technology and Social Media
- Deepfake protections: It will be illegal to create or distribute sexually explicit images of real individuals without consent.
- Reporting tools: Social media companies must implement systems to allow users to report sexually explicit deepfakes efficiently.