LEGAL DOC SVC

Governor Gavin Newson signed into law:

2024 California Employment Laws:

1. State Minimum Wage Increase: increase the minimum wage from $15.50 -$16.00. According to the Department of Industrial Relations, higher local minimum wage in some cities and counties.
2. Higher Minimum Wage for Healthcare Workers: The minimum wage will be raised to $23 starting June 1, 2024.
3. Paid Sick Leave: paid sick leave of no less than 40 hours or five days for employees who work for the same employer for 30 or more days.
4. Reproductive Leave: up to five (5) days of reproductive leave with the death of a family member (i.e., reproductive loss).
5. Remote Work: employers are to issue a 30-day advance notice to employees requiring them to return to the office. Remote work can be sustained if it is for disability accommodation.
6. Cannabis in Employment: it would be unlawful for employers to discriminate against or penalize employees who use cannabis off the job or off-site.
7. Information for Agricultural Workers: employers are to provide information on H-2A visa in English or Spanish upon request by the employees. Other languages might be used.

2024 California Housing Laws

1. Security Deposit: security deposits are to be capped at one month’s rent- furnished or not.
2. Rent Control: tenants with disabilities are allowed to move to the same unit with the same rental rate and terms to better accommodate their disabilities. Applies to properties with more than five or more rental units on January 1, 2024.
3. Credit History: the application process for renting cannot use the credit history of a person. Tenants have the option to show their governmental benefits, pay stubs, and bank records. This goes into effect on January 01, 2024.

2024 California Transportation and Traffic Laws

1. Bicycle Signals: bicyclists are to follow bicycle signals concurrent with other traffic and pedestrian signals. This law goes into effect on January 01, 2024.
2. Speed Cameras: Cities of Long Beach, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are to participate in a 30-day public information campaign before using a speed camera system to spot violations. Such violations can be fined up to $25 as civil penalties.
3. Shared Mobility Devices: service providers are to place signs with raised characters and braille to identify the device for the reporting of negligence and/or abandonment.

2024 California Public Health Laws

1. Conservatorship: establishes conservatorship for individuals with disabilities due to mental health illness or chronic alcoholism. Conservatorship can also be provided to minors with disabilities. The conservator needs to have a background check and may be required to stand in court.
2. Electronic medical records establish the Medi-Cal Promoting Interoperability Program where incentive payments will be given to Medi-Cal providers for the use of electronic health records.
3. LGBTQ Youth Support: LGBTQ youths are to be placed with gender-supportive foster parents. The law also mandates that the fostering family is willing to take care of the child with no discrimination of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

2024 California Public Safety Laws

1. Concealed Carry: no concealed carry of firearms in certain public places such as sidewalks and school zones.
2. Fentanyl Penalty for Illegal Distribution: increased prison sentences for persons who deal with high amounts of fentanyl.
3. Child Sex Trafficking: categorizes child sex trafficking as a heavy criminal offense.
4. Ebony Alerts: creates a new emergency alert – an Ebony Alert- to search for missing Black women and youth.
5. “Excited Delirium”: peace officers, coroners, medical examiners, and physicians cannot use the “Excited Delirium” for the cause of death or a medical diagnosis.

2024 California Consumer Laws

Cancellation of Campsite Reservations: holders will be charged a fee for canceling within two to six days of their visit.

1. Cancellation of Campsite Reservations: holders will be charged a fee for canceling within two to six days of their visit.
2. Gender-Neutral Toy Section: gender-neutral section of children’s toys in department stores with at least 500 employees in California. 

Source: NBC Los Angeles