These new state laws take effect in 2025
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
A new set of laws are now in effect across California this year.
The big picture: State lawmakers introduced nearly 5,000 bills in 2024, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed just over 1,000 of them into law.
Here are a few that could affect your daily life:
🚙 Drivers will no longer be allowed to park within 20 feet of an intersection under the "daylighting" law meant to increase pedestrian visibility and reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries.
🚓 Local police and first responders will be able to detain more people against their will as San Diego County enforces the state's expanded definition of "grave disability." It applies to people with mental health or substance abuse disorders who may pose a safety threat.
🍃 Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes are now legal under a new law that allows consumption of marijuana at dispensaries, which can also sell food and drinks and host live entertainment.
- Sessions by the Bay in National City, set to open in February, will be San Diego County's first establishment of this kind.
🏫 School districts are not allowed to pass policies requiring teachers or staff to notify parents if their child asks to change their gender identity under a first-of-its-kind law to prevent the "forced outing" of LGBTQ students.
🩺 Medical providers and debt collectors can no longer report medical debt to credit agencies, meaning unpaid medical bills won't hurt a person's credit score.
👶🏼 Starting in July, large group health insurance plans must cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and fertility treatments, including three egg retrievals for IVF.
- It also expands the definition of infertility to include coverage for same-sex couples.
💸 Companies must get "express affirmative consent" from customers to automatically renew subscriptions signed or renewed after July 1, 2025.
🏠 Tenants will now have 10 days instead of five to respond to eviction notices.
🛍️ Multiple new laws crack down on retail theft and property crimes like shoplifting and car burglaries.
- Police can now arrest suspects with probable cause even if the officer didn't witness the crime, and prosecutors can add up the value of property stolen from different victims or in different counties to charge suspects with a felony.