California New Laws 2026, by YebboInfo
Dec 31, 2025 • Powered by Yebbo.comWhat’s new in California for 2026
NEW IN 2026: California laws taking effect in the new year What you need to know: Starting January 1, a new set of California laws will take effect, impacting health care, housing, workplaces, schools, technology, and corporate disclosure requirements. SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced key laws taking effect in 2026 that reflect California’s continued focus on public safety, affordability, transparency, and accountability. The new laws lower prescription drug costs, increase oversight of large corporations, strengthen consumer and worker protections, and protect California’s diverse communities. California is proving once again that progress isn’t something we talk about, it’s something we build. While some in Washington remain stuck debating yesterday’s problems, we’re focused on delivering real solutions for today’s families. These new laws reflect who we are: a state that protects workers, respects students, puts people before politics, and isn’t afraid to hold powerful interests accountable. — Governor Gavin Newsom
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California New Laws 2026Education
Back to top ↑Expanding mental health resources for LGBTQ youth
Requires student ID cards issued by public middle and high schools, and public colleges/universities to include a 24/7 hotline for the Trevor Project (crisis and suicide prevention support). Also ensures state education agencies publish and maintain resources for students facing discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
Ban on ultra-processed foods in schools
Removes the most concerning ultra-processed foods from being served at public schools, aiming for healthier meals and improved nutrition.
Supporting student literacy
Expands educator access to tools, training, and resources to help students become stronger readers.
Streamlining college admissions
Creates a CSU direct admissions process that notifies eligible high school students of automatic admission to participating CSU campuses, and requires California Community Colleges to support smoother transfers to four‑year universities.
Health
Back to top ↑Alternative birth centers: licensing and Medi‑Cal reimbursement
Makes licensing of alternative birth centers more accessible (including for midwives) by amending or removing unnecessary requirements.
State emergency food bank reserve program
Expands the state emergency food bank reserve program to include diapers and wipes for families with young children.
Midwifery Workforce Training Act
Requires the Department of Health Care Access and Information to administer funding for statewide midwifery education.
Capping insulin costs
Beginning Jan 1, 2026, large state‑regulated health insurers must cap insulin copays at $35 for a 20‑day supply to improve affordability.
Access to prenatal multivitamins
Expands access to prenatal multivitamins to support healthy pregnancies and infant development.
Perinatal services in rural hospitals
By July 1, 2026, establishes a 10‑year pilot project (up to 5 critical access hospitals) to provide standby perinatal services.
Immigration
Back to top ↑Students — know your rights
Requires schools to post information about students’ rights regarding immigration enforcement in administrative offices and on school websites, reinforcing that all children have the right to a free public education.
Family Preparedness Act
Strengthens protections for parents and children in emergencies, protects family privacy, and prevents child facilities from collecting immigration‑related information, especially when a parent is detained or separated.
Housing
Back to top ↑Protecting renters
Requires landlords to provide working refrigerators in rental units beginning Jan 1, 2026, ensuring tenants have access to essential appliances.
Transit‑oriented housing development
Requires each county and city to adopt a comprehensive long‑term general plan with mandatory elements, including a housing element, and specified planning for land outside its boundaries.
Animal welfare
Back to top ↑Statewide ban on cat declawing
Bans non‑therapeutic cat declawing statewide; only medically necessary procedures performed by a licensed veterinarian are allowed.
Addressing the puppy mill pipeline — seller accountability
Requires pet sellers to disclose a pet’s origin and health information.
Addressing the puppy mill pipeline — ban on third‑party brokers
Prohibits third‑party pet brokers (including many online brokers) from selling cats, puppies, and rabbits bred by others for profit in California.
Dog import health certificates (electronic submission)
Requires dog importers to submit health certificates electronically to the California Department of Food & Agriculture within 10 days of shipment, and requires CDFA to provide certificates upon request.
Workplace rights & protections
Back to top ↑Supporting survivors of workplace sexual assault cover‑ups
Temporarily lifts the statute of limitations for adult survivors of workplace‑related sexual assault cover‑ups. From Jan 1, 2026 through Dec 21, 2027, survivors may file civil claims regardless of when the incident occurred.
Strengthening equal pay enforcement
Expands equal pay laws by broadening definitions, extending the statute of limitations to three years (with recovery for up to six years), and clarifying categories of unlawful pay practices.
Technology, AI safety & digital rights
Back to top ↑Preventing AI from posing as licensed professionals
Prohibits AI chatbots from presenting themselves as doctors, nurses, or other licensed professionals to prevent misrepresentation.
Addressing artificially generated pornography
Strengthens protections against digital sexual exploitation by targeting creation and distribution of AI‑generated sexual content.
Risk‑mitigation requirements for large AI companies
Requires large AI developers to maintain documented risk‑mitigation strategies to improve safety and transparency.
Safeguards for minors using AI chatbots
Requires disclaimers that chatbots are not real people for minors and mandates safety protocols to prevent chatbots from encouraging self‑harm.
Transparency in police reports drafted with AI
Requires law enforcement agencies to disclose when AI tools are used to draft official police reports.
Consumer protections
Back to top ↑Food delivery platforms: customer service, pay transparency, refunds
Prohibits companies from using tips to offset base pay; requires clear and itemized pay breakdowns; mandates access to a real customer‑service representative when automated systems can’t resolve issues; and guarantees refunds when orders are undelivered, incorrect, or partially fulfilled.
Climate & environment
Back to top ↑Updated plastic bag regulations
Closes loopholes that allowed thicker plastic film bags labeled “reusable.” Eliminates plastic film checkout bags and requires retailers to transition to truly reusable bags (higher durability standards) or recycled‑content paper bags, reducing plastic waste and improving recycling.