17 New California Laws That Will Change Your Life In 2025

CALIFORNIA — When the clock strikes midnight each year on Jan. 1, a new host of laws kick in that can range from boring, procedural changes to major updates to legislation that have a real impact on Californians' lives.

There are plenty of new laws set to take effect beginning Jan. 1, 2025 that will change residents lives. Among them are new eviction protections, enhancements to paid family leave and a policy meant to make it easier to cancel subscription.

Here are over 17 new laws taking effect in 2025:

Property Crime and Retail Theft Package

A package of ten laws signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom amount to what the governor's office called "the most significant legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California history."

The laws kicking in on Jan. 1 will create stricter penalties for retail and property theft, mandate sentencing enhancements for large-scale operations, make it easier for people to be charged with felonies if they stole items in multiple counties, and allow police officers to arrest someone for shoplifting with probable cause even if the officer did not witness the act themselves.

“This legislation directly benefits Californians by addressing the urgent issue of retail crime, which impacts shoppers, business owners, and workers across our state. Many constituents have expressed concerns about local retailers closing, job losses, and safety. By working together with various stakeholders, we crafted a balanced solution that disrupts retail crime rings while maintaining crucial criminal justice reforms,"Select Committee on Retail Theft chair, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur said.

A full rundown of the changes is available here.

Food Delivery App Reform

Under SB 1490, food delivery platforms will be required to offer an itemized breakdown of fees to consumers and allow restaurants to remove themselves from the platforms.

The law takes effect Jan. 1.

AI Protection For Actors

Under AB 2602, contracts in film and TV would be required to spell out the use of AI-generated replicas of a performer's likeness and performers must be professionally represented in negotiating those contracts.

Similarly, AB 1836 prohibits the commercial use of AI replicas of dead performers without the concept of the performers' estates.

“It is a momentous day for SAG-AFTRA members and everyone else because the AI protections we fought so hard for last year are now expanded upon by California law thanks to the legislature and Newsom. They say as California goes, so goes the nation!," SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said when Newsom signed the bills into law in September.

Both laws go into effect Jan. 1.

Less Parking, More Crosswalk Visibility

A law went into effect earlier this year prohibiting drivers from parking a certain distance from any crosswalk, generally 15 to 20 feet, even if the curb isn't painted red. The policy, referred to as "daylighting," is meant to make pedestrians more visible to drivers.

Beginning Jan. 1, drivers will begin to be eligible for citations if they break the daylighting law.

Limiting Social Media At School

Under SB 1283, school districts will be allowed to limit or prohibit students from using social media while at school.

"By explicitly prohibiting the use of social media while on school grounds or under school supervision, SB 1283 will help prevent distractions, cyberbullying, and other forms of inappropriate behavior that can negatively impact students’ academic performance and well-being," the Los Angeles County Office of Education wrote in support of the legislation, which takes effect Jan. 1.

Native Perspectives Included In Public Education

Beginning this fall, elementary through high school lessons about the Mission and Gold Rush periods must include information about the treatment of Native Americans and their perspectives.

"For far too long California’s First People and their history have been ignored or misrepresented. Classroom instruction about Spanish Colonization and Gold Rush periods fails to include the loss of life, enslavement, starvation, illness and violence inflicted upon California Native Americans," the bill's author, Assemblymember James C. Ramos said.

No Bans On Solar Installation At Mobile Home Parks

SB1190 clarifies that mobile home owners are permitted to install solar systems. Homeowners associations have been limited in their ability to prohibit installations since 1978, but the law didn't specifically extend that to mobile home parks. That's allowed some park owners to block residents from installing systems, according to Sen. John Laird, the law's author.

“SB 1190 provides a clear path for mobilehome owners that are on an individual meter, meet permitting requirements, and meet health and safety standards to install solar on their homes. In doing so, the bill eliminates arbitrary restrictions, granting mobilehome owners the same rights to solar installation provided to other homeowners, and ensures consistency in access across mobilehome parks statewide," Laird said.

The law goes into effect on Jan. 1

Expansion Of Cannabis Businesses

AB 1775 expands the limitations for cannabis businesses set by Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana in 2016. The biggest shift under the new law is an expansion of what cannabis cafes are allowed to do. The cafes will be allowed to prepare and sell non-cannabis food and beverages and host live entertainment.

The law goes into effect Jan. 1.

Child Influencers' Finances Protected

A pair of new laws that go into effect Jan. 1 are meant to protect children and teenagers who perform in online content from financial abuse.

SB 764 mandates that child influencers' parents or guardians set aside a percentage of the performers' earnings in trust accounts.

AB 1880 expands the Coogan Law, a longtime rule that mandates child performers' employers put at least 15% of their gross earnings in a trust, to include minors who work as content creators.

“A lot has changed since Hollywood’s early days, but here in California, our laser focus on protecting kids from exploitation remains the same. In old Hollywood, child actors were exploited. In 2024, it’s now child influencers. Today, that modern exploitation ends through two new laws to protect young influencers on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms," Newsom said.

Sick Days When Wildfires Are Burning

Farm workers will be allowed to use sick time in the event of "smoke, heat, or flooding conditions created by a local or state emergency," such as when a wildfire is burning.

Gun Law Changes

Currently, people are prohibited from submitting more than one application to purchase a handgun within a 30-day period — however, transactions in which neither party is a firearms dealer are exempt if the transaction is completed through a dealer.

Beginning on Jan. 1, that exemption will no longer in effect under AB 1482.

LGBTQ Students Protected From Outing Policies

Under AB 1955, schools will be prohibited from enacting policies that require teachers to inform parents about their child's sexual orientation or gender identity without the student's permission.

Paid Family Leave Expansion

Under AB 2123, employers will no longer be allowed to require that employees use their accrued vacation time before accessing the state's Paid Family Leave Program. Previously, employers could require employees take up to two weeks of vacation time before accessing the leave.

The state-run program provides benefits to people taking time off to care for a family member, spend time with a new child or assist military family members under active duty.

The law goes into effect Jan. 1.

Medical Debt Excluded From Credit Reports

Under SB 1061, medical debt will be removed from consumers' credit reports to ensure that people are "not penalized for the high costs of necessary healthcare," Newsom's office said. The law will also prohibit using medical debt that happens to be listed on a credit report as a negative factor against consumers.

"No Californian should be unable to secure housing, a loan, or even a job because they accessed necessary medical care," the bill's author, Sen. Monique Limón, said.
This law takes effect Jan. 1.

Legacy, Donor Admissions Banned At Universities

All universities will be banned from admitting students based on their wealth or personal relationships under AB 1780, expanding a longstanding rule that's been in place at the states public universities.

Private colleges and universities will have to demonstrate their compliance by submitting an annual report.

"If we value diversity in higher education, we must level the playing field. That means making the college application process more fair and equitable," said the bill's author, Rep. Phil Ting. "Hard work, good grades and a well-rounded background should earn you a spot in the incoming class – not the size of the check your family can write or who you’re related to."

The law requires universities to adhere to the new rules by Sept. 1.

Easier Cancelation Of Subscriptions

There will be no more needing to navigate phone trees and pushy customer service reps in order to cancel subscriptions under AB 2863, which requires that companies allow consumers to cancel their subscription through the same medium or method a person used to subscribe.

The Federal Trade Commission also mirrored the Golden State's new law in October, enacting a similar click-to-cancel policy to crack down on companies offering continuous subscriptions for gyms, streaming services and more.

The state law goes into effect July 1.

Fertility Treatments Will Be Covered By Insurance

In response to political tension around women's reproductive rights over the past year, SB 729 was penned to strengthen access to fertility treatments and diagnoses as well as in-vitro fertilization, which is commonly called IVF.

The law will require insurance companies to provide coverage for such treatments. Access will also be expanded to LGBTQ+ families.

"It's simple: everyone who wants to should be able to start a family — without going broke," Newsom said.

Earlier this year after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created and stored for IVF are children, a decision that many feared could limit fertility treatments in the state and spur more implications nationwide.

"As Republicans across the country continue to claw back rights and block access to IVF – all while calling themselves ‘the party of families’ – we are proud to help every Californian make their own choices about the family they want," Newsom said.

This law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

SEE ALSO: 4 New CA Traffic Laws Every Driver Should Know Before 2025