New California Legislation: Key Updates for 2025

Alongside the imperative to “strengthen civil rights protections and create more inclusive learning environments for everyone,” these priorities stand at the forefront of the legislature and state government.

Public Safety Initiatives

One notable measure among the new laws is the legislative package introduced by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. This allows prosecutors to aggregate the values of different thefts, including frequent retail store robberies, to meet the threshold for felony grand theft and establishes a new offense targeting organized crime networks.

According to a state government press release, “this year, Governor Newsom enacted the most significant bipartisan effort in modern California history to combat property and retail theft.”

Addressing Impacts of Artificial Intelligence

California’s new legal protections also address societal risks posed by artificial intelligence:

  • SB 926: Criminalizes the creation or distribution of artificially generated sexually explicit images of a real person intended to cause emotional distress.
  • SB 981: Requires social media platforms to allow California residents to report such images and mandates content removal during investigations.

Stricter Penalties for Street Racing

New transportation-related laws impose stricter sanctions on street races and illegal stunt shows, including:

  • Granting law enforcement the authority to seize vehicles from spectators and participants, even after the event.
  • Penalizing drivers for parking within 20 feet of any crosswalk under the Natural Light Law.
  • SB 905: Removes the requirement for car owners to prove vehicle doors were locked at the time of theft.

Changes in Education and Healthcare

Education:

  • Policies prohibit schools from mandating educators to inform parents if students identify as transgender or request a name change.
  • Public libraries are prohibited from banning books based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation.

Healthcare:

  • Healthcare professionals must now provide care for individuals aged 65 and older and complete continuing education in geriatrics and dementia care.

Additional 2025 Laws

Housing and Urban Development

  • Streamlined Subdivision Approvals (SB 684): Facilitates the subdivision of multifamily lots into up to 10 units, expediting smaller housing project approvals.

Employment and Labor

  • Minimum Wage Increase: The state minimum wage has risen to $16.50 per hour.
  • Paid Family Leave Usage: Employers can no longer require employees to exhaust paid vacation before accessing family leave benefits.

Tenant Rights

  • Extended Eviction Response Time: Tenants now have 10 days to respond to eviction notices, doubling the previous 5-day limit.

Consumer Protection

  • Cannabis Cafes and Outdoor Drinking Zones: Initiatives to boost local economies and provide regulated environments for consumption.
  • Banking Fee Elimination: Legislation removes certain banking fees to reduce financial burdens on consumers.

Public Health

  • Restrictions on Ultra-Processed Foods: An executive order prioritizes fresh, healthy food in publicly funded programs like Medi-Cal.

Environmental Regulations

  • Zero-Emission Equipment Mandates: California enforces strict pollution control measures on equipment such as lawn mowers, off-road vehicles, and refrigerated trucks.

Digital and Online Safety

  • Social Media Age Verification: Platforms must obtain verified parental consent before providing “addictive” feeds to minors and are restricted from sending notifications during specific hours.

These laws reflect California’s ongoing efforts to address housing shortages, worker rights, public safety, environmental sustainability, and digital safety.