LOS ANGELES, CA – California’s workforce can expect an increase in minimum wage, an end to noncompete agreements, and cannabis testing is finally recognized as ‘illegal’ because testing are not reliable and inaccurate. Here’s more laws that are getting an upgrade:
CA 2024 Employment Laws
AB 1076 (Effective January 1, 2024): This new law, authored by Bauer-Kahan, broadens the scope of the Edwards v. Arthur Andersen LLP ruling. It essentially makes noncompete agreements in employment contracts void unless they meet certain specific criteria. Any breach of this law is seen as unfair competition.
State Minimum Wage Increase: The minimum wage in California will see a rise to $16 per hour from its previous rate of $15.50, starting January 1. It’s important to note that in certain areas, the minimum wage might be even higher.
Higher Minimum Wage for Healthcare Workers: As of June 1, under SB 252 introduced by Senator Maria Elena Durazo, healthcare workers in selected facilities will receive a minimum wage of $23.
More Paid Sick Leave: According to SB 616, introduced by Senator Lena Gonzalez and effective from January 1, employees are entitled to accumulate a minimum of 40 hours, or five days, of sick leave or paid time off within 200 days from their employment start date, with this benefit renewing annually.
Provisions for Reproductive Leave: Starting January 1, under Senator Susan Rubio’s SB 848, employers are required to grant reproductive leave. The leave is available within three months of an applicable event, subject to certain conditions and limitations within a 12-month period.
Mandated Notification for Remote Workers: SB 731 by Senator Angelique Ashby, effective from January 1, demands employers provide a 30-day advance notice to remote workers before calling them back to on-site work. This includes clarifications on rights related to disability accommodations for remote work.
Prohibition of Cannabis Discrimination in Employment: Senator Steven Bradford’s forthcoming SB 700 is set to prohibit discrimination in employment based on cannabis-related reasons.
CA Housing Laws
Security Deposits maxed at one month: AB 12, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney and effective from July 1, caps security deposits at a maximum of one month’s rent regardless of whether the unit is furnished, with an exception for owners of a small number of rental properties.
Relocation Assistance for Disabled Tenants: Starting January 1, AB 1620 initiated by Assemblyman Zbur will assist tenants with permanent mobility-related disabilities in rent-controlled units, allowing them to move to different, accessible units within the same property without changing their rent or terms.
Renters with poor credit can worry less. SB 267 by State Sen. Susan Eggman, effective from January 1, brings a significant change in the rental housing application process by eliminating the consideration of credit history and allowing tenants to present alternative proofs of rental payment capability.
Evictions are harder for landlords: Updates to the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, concerning no-fault just-cause evictions and residential rent hikes, come into effect, involving modifications to certain sections of the Civil Code.
CA Public Health Laws
New Conservatorship Guidelines for the Gravely Disabled (Code 5350): Effective January 1, this code revises the procedure for setting up conservatorships for individuals severely disabled due to mental health disorders or chronic alcoholism, now including minors.
Incentives for Electronic Medical Records (Code 14046): Starting January 1, this initiative introduces the Medi-Cal Promoting Interoperability Program, encouraging the adoption of electronic health records.
Support Measures for LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care (SB 407): This law, effective from January 1, directs the California Department of Social Services to ensure LGBTQ youth in foster care are placed in supportive and gender-affirming environments.
Requirement for Gender-Neutral Toy Sections (AB 1084): Large department stores in California are now required to maintain a gender-neutral section for children’s toys.
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