In California, the dawn of the new year brings forth a slew of fresh legislative changes. On January 1st, the Golden State saw the implementation of numerous new laws, some of which were passed by lawmakers in the preceding autumn. Among these changes is a 50-cent boost in California’s statewide minimum wage, now standing at $16 per hour.
Here are some of the noteworthy additions to the state’s legal landscape:
1. Safeguarding Cannabis Users: Starting this year, California employers are no longer permitted to penalize most employees for off-the-clock cannabis use. Assembly Bill 2188 prohibits businesses from terminating or otherwise punishing workers for their marijuana consumption when it occurs “off the job and away from the workplace.” Additionally, it is now unlawful for most employers in the state to discriminate against employees who test positive for “nonpsychoactive” traces of marijuana in drug screenings. These traces do not signify impairment; rather, they indicate recent cannabis consumption. It’s essential to note that certain worker categories, such as construction workers and federal government employees, remain subject to disciplinary actions for off-duty marijuana use. Senate Bill 700 also prohibits California employers from inquiring about job applicants’ cannabis use.
2. Gender-Neutral Toy Sections: Large retail stores that sell toys in California must now maintain gender-neutral sections for children, in accordance with A.B. 1084, passed by the State Legislature in 2021. Stores failing to comply with this requirement may face fines of up to $250 for initial violations and $500 for subsequent infractions.
3. Extended Sick Leave: Under S.B. 616, California employers are now obligated to provide each employee with a minimum of five days or 40 hours of sick leave per year, up from the previous three-day minimum. Several other states, including New York and Oregon, have already established similar requirements, mandating a minimum of 40 hours of annual sick leave for employees.
4. Airbnb Refund Policy: S.B. 644 mandates that hotels, travel booking companies, and short-term rental services like Airbnb allow reservations to be canceled without penalty within 24 hours of booking confirmation. This rule applies exclusively to reservations made at least 72 hours before the scheduled check-in.
5. Stricter Sentences for Fentanyl Offenses: Under A.B. 701, individuals convicted of dealing or attempting to deal more than a kilogram of fentanyl can now face more severe prison sentences than were previously authorized. This measure comes in response to the alarming toll of fentanyl overdoses, with over 6,000 Californians succumbing to such overdoses in 2022.
