California residents will face significant changes starting July 1 as new laws impact minimum wages, food labeling, and school safety. These updates include increased pay for hospitality and healthcare workers, mandatory allergen disclosures for large restaurant chains, and new regulations for streaming service advertisement volumes.
How will minimum wages change in California?
While the current California minimum wage for most economic sectors is $16.90 per hour, several local jurisdictions are implementing higher rates on July 1.
In the hospitality sector, workers in Long Beach will see rates rise to $26.50 per hour. In the City of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Glendale, the rate will be $25.00, while West Hollywood workers will earn $20.87.
Healthcare workers will also see adjustments based on facility size. Large hospitals with more than 10,000 full-time employees will see a $25 hourly rate. General healthcare workers will earn $23, clinic staff $22, and independent rural hospitals $19.28.
What are the new food and beverage labeling requirements?
Under AB 660, California is standardizing food expiration phrasing to reduce waste and encourage grocery donations. The law replaces most “sell-by” dates with specific terms like best if used by or best if frozen by to indicate peak freshness.
The law also introduces “use by” or “free by” labels to mark hard deadlines for high-risk items. Exemptions for these rules include beer, eggs, and infant formula.
Additionally, AB 68 requires restaurant chains with 20 or more locations nationwide to disclose common allergens, including milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, and sesame. This mandate does not apply to small businesses or “mom-and-pop” shops.
How will schools and students be affected?
The Phone-Free Schools Act (AB 3216) requires every school in the state to implement policies that limit or prohibit student smartphone use on campus to reduce distractions and protect mental health.
Regarding facilities, SB 760 mandates that all public and charter schools establish at least one non-gendered restroom featuring clear signage for all gender identities.
Student identification cards will also change under AB 727. Middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities must now include the Trevor Project’s 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention hotline (1-866-488-7386) on student IDs.
What is changing in technology and housing?
Streaming platforms like YouTube and Peacock must now regulate advertisement volume under SB 576. The law prohibits ads from being louder than the actual program content, reflecting the 2010 CALM Act for the digital age.
In the autonomous vehicle sector, AB 1777 allows law enforcement to ticket driverless car fleets that violate traffic laws. These companies must also provide a 24/7 emergency hotline and maintain a human, remote operator.
Housing regulations will shift as a new zoning law overrides local rules to permit multi-family developments near public transit. Neighborhoods within half a mile of frequently used Metro lines may lose single-family zoning in high-density areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco counties.
Finally, SB 729 requires employers with 100 or more workers to include infertility treatments, such as IVF, in health insurance. This coverage must include unlimited embryo transfers and three completed egg retrievals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is exempt from the new allergen disclosure law?
The law applies to chains with 20 or more locations and does not apply to small businesses or “mom-and-pop” shops.
What is the new minimum wage for large hospitals?
Facilities with over 10,000 full-time employees will have a minimum hourly rate of $25.
How will the new food labeling affect “sell-by” dates?
Sell-by dates will largely be banned in favor of more specific phrasing regarding product quality and expiration deadlines.
How do you feel about these upcoming changes in your community?
