California Law: 2020 Updates

Here is a list of the new state laws that will take effect on January 1, 2020.

Workplace
SB 3: Minimum wage

The minimum wage in California goes up to $12 an hour for workers at companies with 25 or fewer employees and to $13 an hour for workers at larger companies.

AB 5: Independent workers

Primarily affecting gig (freelance) workers, this law may also apply to many more contract or independent workers in California.

Under this law, workers would be considered employees and not independent contractors if the employer controls the work, directs them in the course of their work, or if the worker’s job is part of a company’s core business.

SB 188: Hairstyles

This law bans workplace and school discrimination based on a person’s natural hairstyle or hair texture, such as braids, twists and locks.

SB 1343: Sexual harassment

This law requires businesses with at least five employees to provide sexual harassment training to its employees within six months of being hired and every two years after that.

SB 83: Paid family leave

Benefits under Paid Family Leave will increase from six weeks to eight weeks starting on July 1, 2020.

Housing
AB 1482: Rent control

Communities with no rent control laws will now be covered by statewide rent control protections. This law limits rent increases to 5% each year plus inflation, but never above 10% total.

Housing built 15 years prior, i.e., 2005, is excluded. This limit is a rolling number so the date housing is excluded will change every year.

AB 652: Religious displays

This law prohibits landlords and homeowner associations from banning the display of religious items, such as menorahs or crosses, on entry doors or doorframes. The items cannot be larger than 26 inches by 12 inches.

SB 222: Housing discrimination

This law expands existing law to protect veterans and military personnel against housing discrimination

Privacy
AB 375: Online privacy

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives Internet users more control over their data. Among other things, the law gives users the right to know what data is collected, the right to reject the sale of your information, and the right to delete your data.

Marriage
SB 30: Domestic partners

Heterosexual couples will be able to register as domestic partners in lieu of getting married. Currently, only heterosexual couples age 62 or older are allowed to register as domestic partners because of Social Security benefits. SB 30 could help couples with combined higher incomes avoid the federal marriage tax penalty.

Education
SB 419: School suspensions

This new law bans schools from suspending 4th to 8th grade students for disrupting school activities or defying teachers and administrators. Students in grades K-3 already have this protection. High school students must wait until 2025 for the same benefit.

Healthcare
SB 104: Healthcare for undocumented immigrants

The law expands the Medicaid program to include low-income adults age 25 or younger regardless of their immigration status.

AB 2119: Transgender youth

Transgender youth in the foster care system will have access to gender-affirming medical services, mental health counseling, hormone therapy and surgery.

Criminal Justice
SB 439: Juvenile hall

Minors under age 12 who commit non-violent crimes would be released to their parent or legal guardian instead of being sent to juvenile hall. The law does not apply to minors who commit murder, rape, or great bodily harm.

SB 970: Human trafficking

Operators of motels and hotels in California are required to provide training to their staff in identifying victims of human trafficking.

Animals
SB 1249: Animal testing

Prohibits the sale of cosmetic products with ingredients that were tested on animals after January 1, 2020. The law does not affect products sold globally where animal testing is required by law.

AB 1762: Dog areas

The California Department of Parks and Recreation is required to establish a comprehensive list of state parks by July 1, 2020 that allow dogs, including the specific areas that allow dogs and the total miles of trails that are open to dogs.

Wildfires
SB 167: Public safety power shutoffs

Utilities such as PG&E are required to devise plans on reducing the negative impact of planned power shutoffs to first responders and people with disabilities.

AB 247: Tree trimming

Gives the California Public Utilities Commission more oversight over tree trimming efforts by utilities by requiring power companies to submit timely reports on their brush and tree trimming work.

SB 209: Wildfire warning center

Establishes a wildfire-warning center to broaden the state’s ability to predict and prepare for wildfire. The center would rely on a statewide network of automated weather stations and fire detection cameras.

Visit ca.gov for more information about these and all laws.