From schools and smartphones to delivery refunds, food labels and housing rules, hundreds of measures signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom will reshape daily life for many
As California turns the calendar to 2026, a sweeping collection of newly enacted state laws is taking effect, touching nearly every part of daily life. Over the past year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed more than 800 bills, with many of the most impactful measures now becoming law or scheduled to roll out later in the year.
The changes reach into how Californians shop, work, drive, rent housing, attend school, access health care and interact with technology. Below is a comprehensive roundup of the most significant new laws from the full list provided for this story, organized by topic and clearly identified by bill number so readers can easily track each change.
Consumer protections and everyday purchases
SB 1053 Plastic bag ban:closes the loophole that allowed thicker “reusable” plastic checkout bags to remain in circulation, effectively eliminating plastic bags at grocery, pharmacy and convenience stores statewide. Shoppers must bring reusable bags or use paper bags offered by retailers.
AB 578 Food delivery refunds and customer service:requires third-party delivery platforms to issue full refunds to the original form of payment when orders are incorrect, incomplete, late or not delivered. The law also mandates access to human customer service when automated systems fail and adds transparency requirements related to fees, pay and tips.
SB 1075 Overdraft fee cap for credit unions:limits overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees charged by credit unions to no more than $14.
SB 709 Self-storage rental disclosures:requires rental agreements to clearly disclose whether rates are promotional or discounted, how fees may change, and the maximum amount that can be charged during the first year.
SB 446 Data breach notification:accelerates breach disclosure timelines, generally requiring notice within 30 days of discovery or notification.
AB 1327 Home improvement contract cancellations:allows homeowners to cancel certain home improvement or home solicitation contracts by phone or email.
AB 1374 Rental vehicle pricing transparency:requires rental car companies to provide total cost estimates, including taxes and fees, and disclose whether vehicles are gas-powered or electric.
SB 766 California Combating Auto Retail Scams Act:strengthens consumer protections in vehicle sales and leases, including clearer pricing disclosures and a three-day right to cancel certain transactions. This law takes effect Oct. 1, 2026.
SB 576 Streaming advertisement volume limits:prevents streaming platforms from playing advertisements louder than the program being watched, effective July 1, 2026.
AB 656 Account deletion requirements:requires social media platforms to provide users with a clear, simple way to delete accounts and personal information.
SB 362 Delete Act and DROP platform:establishes a statewide system allowing consumers to request deletion of personal data held by data brokers, with compliance requirements rolling out through 2026.
Food and grocery changes
AB 1830 Folic acid fortification for tortillas:requires most commercially sold corn masa flour and corn tortillas to be fortified with folic acid, while exempting certain small producers and fresh masa made on-site.
SB 68 Food allergen menu labeling:requires large restaurant chains to list major food allergens directly on menus beginning July 1, 2026.
AB 660 Standardized food date labeling:replaces “sell by” dates with clearer phrases such as “Best if Used by” and “Use or freeze by,” effective July 1, 2026.
Health care and public health
SB 40 Insulin cost cap and CalRx:caps insulin copays for certain state-regulated health plans at $35 for a 30-day supply and advances California’s CalRx low-cost insulin program.
SB 729 Infertility and fertility coverage:requires large employer health plans to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity.
SB 236 Hair relaxer chemical restrictions:bans toxic chemicals in hair relaxers linked to cancer or reproductive harm.
SB 27 CARE Act expansion:broadens eligibility and streamlines the state’s court-supervised mental health treatment program.
AB 82 Gender-affirming care privacy protections:expands privacy safeguards related to gender-affirming health care.
AB 8 Industrial hemp restrictions:limits intoxicating hemp extracts in foods and supplements unless strict purity standards are met.
Schools and students
AB 3216 Phone-Free Schools Act:requires school districts to adopt policies limiting or prohibiting student smartphone use by July 1, 2026.
AB 49 Safe Haven Schools Act:restricts immigration enforcement access on K-12 campuses without judicial warrants and limits sharing of student records.
AB 715 Office of Civil Rights and antisemitism coordinator:establishes a statewide office to address discrimination in schools.
SB 760 All-gender restrooms at schools:requires at least one all-gender restroom at each public K-12 campus for the 2026–27 school year.
AB 727 Student ID crisis resource information:requires student identification cards to include suicide prevention hotline information.
SB 640 CSU Direct Admission Program:expands guaranteed admission pathways to California State University campuses.
AB 461 Truancy fine repeal:eliminates fines previously imposed on parents of chronically truant students.
AB 1825 Library access protections:prevents publicly funded libraries from banning or restricting books based on content or author.
Workplace and employment
SB 3 Minimum wage increase:raises California’s statewide minimum wage to $16.90 per hour and increases the exempt salary threshold.
SB 648 Tip protection enforcement:strengthens enforcement against tip theft and bars employers from deducting credit card processing fees from tips.
AB 692 Training repayment contract restrictions:limits “stay or pay” contracts that require employees to repay training costs.
SB 642 Pay range disclosure and equity protections:requires employers to provide good-faith pay ranges and strengthens pay equity rules.
SB 617 Mass layoff notice requirements:adds workforce coordination and employee assistance disclosure requirements during large layoffs.
AB 406 Expanded leave for crime victims:allows paid sick leave and unpaid leave when workers or family members must attend court proceedings.
SB 294 Workplace Know Your Rights Act:requires annual written notices outlining employee workplace rights, effective Feb. 1, 2026.
Housing and renters
AB 628 Stoves and refrigerators for tenants:requires landlords to provide working stoves and refrigerators for covered leases unless both parties agree otherwise.
AB 246 Tenant protection for delayed Social Security payments:prevents eviction when rent nonpayment is caused by delayed or terminated federal benefits beyond the tenant’s control.
SB 79 Housing near transit hubs:allows higher-density housing near major transportation stops in several counties, including Sacramento County, effective July 1, 2026.
Public safety and crime
SB 805 Law enforcement identification requirements:requires officers to display agency identification or badge numbers under specified conditions.
SB 627 Law enforcement face-covering limits:restricts officers from wearing masks while on duty, subject to ongoing legal challenges.
SB 524 Artificial intelligence disclosure in police reports:requires disclosure when AI is used to draft official law enforcement reports.
AB 250 Sexual assault civil lawsuit revival:opens a temporary window allowing certain civil claims through Dec. 31, 2027.
SB 258 Spousal rape law reform:removes the spousal exemption from California’s rape statutes.
SB 53 Firearm storage requirements:strengthens safe storage standards for firearms in residences.
Transportation and driving laws
AB 366 Ignition interlock device extension:extends California’s IID program for DUI offenders through 2033.
AB 1087 Vehicular manslaughter probation terms:lengthens probation periods for intoxicated driving manslaughter convictions.
AB 382 School zone speed limits:lowers default school-zone speed limits to 20 mph beginning in 2031.
AB 390 Slow down, move over expansion:requires drivers to slow or change lanes near stationary vehicles with hazard signals.
SB 720 Automated red-light enforcement programs:authorizes alternative red-light camera enforcement treated as civil violations.
AB 1299 Parking ticket hardship waivers:allows local governments to reduce or waive parking fines and offer payment plans for individuals facing financial hardship.
Animals, environment and climate
AB 867 Cat declawing ban:prohibits declawing cats except when medically necessary.
AB 506 Pet seller disclosure requirements:mandates transparency regarding the health and origin of pets sold or adopted.
SB 261 Corporate climate emissions reporting:requires large companies operating in California to publicly report greenhouse gas emissions.
A new state holiday
AB 268 Diwali state holiday:establishes Diwali as an official California state holiday beginning in 2026, observed Nov. 9 that year.
Readers interested in the full statutory language, legislative history and analyses of these measures can access complete bill texts and official records through the California’s legislative and executive resources site HERE
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