New Laws in California for 2022
Starting this week, 770 new laws take effect in California. Some cover health and safety issues, while others are designed to balance the scales with income inequality and climate change. We’re not going to cover all of them here, but certainly, these are the ones you will likely hear about and could have an impact on your home and business.
Minimum Wage, Wage Rights:
The current minimum wage is $15.00 per hour for employers in California with 26 or more employees. Employers with 25 or fewer employees have a minimum wage of $14.00 per hour. That’s more than double the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour. California’s minimum wage was last changed in 2008 when it was raised $6.00 from $8.00 to $14.00. Additionally, Assembly Bill 1003 classifies intentional theft of wages by an employer, over $950 over 12 months as grand theft, which is punishable by up to a year in jail or a fine of up to $5,000. Under this law, wage theft includes tips and benefits.
Separating Compost:
Senate Bill 1383 requires people and businesses to sort organic waste to keep it out of the general landfill. For their part, local governments to provide organic waste collection services. CVSan and Oro Loma currently provide bins to help recycle these organic materials. But the state program will enforce these rules with fines starting in 2024.
Vote by Mail:
Governor Newsom signed an executive order in 2020 to send all eligible voters a vote-by-mail packet. Assembly Bill 37 makes that order permanent and expands it to include local elections. People can still vote in person if they choose.
More Housing:
Senate Bill 8, 9, and 10 all aimed at making it easier to build housing and help the state’s housing crunch. SB-8 extends laws letting cities and counties accelerate the approval process for housing projects. SB-9 makes it easier to split a property into a duplex by removing some of the layers of bureaucracy and review. SB-10 allows for cities and local governments to build more dense housing—up to 10 units in a parcel—if they are built near transit.
Speed Laws:
Under Assembly Bill 43, local authorities are authorized to reduce speed limits to protect the safety of vulnerable groups such as pedestrians and cyclists. Cities can start working toward lowering speed limits in 2022 but can’t enforce them until June 30, 2024.
Mugshots on Social Media:
To better protect the rights of people who have been arrested but not yet prosecuted., Assembly Bill 1475 limits the circumstances in which law enforcement is allowed to release the mugshot of a suspect on social media.
Equestrian Safety:
If you are under 18 and ride a horse on a paved road, Assembly Bill 974 requires you to wear a helmet. Anyone riding at night will be required to have either reflective equipment or light on their body or the animal.
Cocktails To-Go:
Since 2020, businesses have been able to sell takeout alcoholic drinks. Senate Bill 389 extends that rule through 2026. It also makes it possible for businesses to keep selling cocktails, beer, and wine in outdoor dining parklets for the next five years.
Cosmetology Training Shaved:
Thinking of becoming a barber or cosmetologist? Senate Bill 803 cuts down the training time to 1,000 hours. Previously, 1,600 was required for cosmetologists and 1,500 was required for barbers. Advocates say it’ll cut down on debt and let trainees in the industry get to work faster.
Ask for Ketchup Packets:
Getting food to go? You soon need to ask for single-use silverware and condiments. That means restaurants won’t automatically put forks, spoons, or chopsticks in your bag unless you ask for them. The same goes for ketchup for your fries. A similar law banning single-use plastic straws has been in effect, but cities and counties can start enforcing it in June 2022.
Ethnic Studies Requirement:
High schools will need to begin providing a one-semester course on ethnic studies starting in the academic year 2025-26 and make it a graduation requirement beginning with students graduating in 2029-2030. Assembly bill 101 will still need funding approved by the state legislature.
School Start Times:
Say goodbye to Zero Period? A new law going into effect on July 1 this year requires middle schools and high schools to start class no earlier than 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., respectively. Supporters say preteens and teenagers need extra sleep for their health and development. For most students, it will impact them in the 2022-23 school year. The law exempts rural school districts.
Mandatory Menstrual Products in School:
Starting in the 2022-23 school year, public schools will be required to stock restrooms with free pads or tampons. The law affects public schools with grades 6 through 12, community colleges, and public universities.