5 New Laws That Kick In Today — And How They’ll Impact Californians’ Pocketbooks

From the junk fee ban to the Right to Repair Act, new laws in effect Monday can change how much we pay for everything from burgers to homes.

CALIFORNIA — On July 1, a host of new laws will take effect in California, including a ban on businesses charging hidden fees and a new tax expected to raise $150 million annually.

Here’s a rundown of nine laws set to kick in next month and how they’ll impact Californians:

No more hidden fees

“Living wage,” “kitchen appreciation,” and other fees that are tacked on to diners’ restaurant bills are just some of the hidden charges that will be illegal under SB 487.

The law defines prohibits the practice of sellers using an artificially low advertised price to attract a customer and only disclosing additional required frees in fine print or tacking on unavoidable charges later in the buying process.

It also applies to things like concert tickets, where extra costs at checkout can ballon the price of tickets far and above the advertised cost.

While the law is set to go into effect July 1, an effort is underway in the state Legislature to exempt restaurants from the requirement.

Roofie-proofing bars

Bars and nightclubs will be required to offer patrons to a way to test if their drinks have been roofied, or spiked with date-rape drugs.

Establishments must offer the tests either for free or at a “reasonable” cost. Testing methods include strips or coasters that react to the presence of drugs after a few drops of a drink are placed on them.

Free menstrual products in schools

Current law requires public schools with grades 6 to 12 to stock restrooms with free menstrual products, a requirement that began last year.

The new law, AB 230, expanded that requirement to cover all public schools with 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes as well.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provided by bill author Assemblymember Eloise Reyes, showed that 10 percent of girls begin menstruating by age 10.

Right to repair

Lawmakers say the Right to Repair Act will protect consumers by requiring electronic device and appliance manufacturers to make it easier (and likely cheaper) for buyers to fix their products.

Manufacturers will be required to provide consumers and repair facilities with documentation, tools and replacement parts for electronics and appliances. The manufacturers’ obligations extend for three years for products priced at $50 to $99.99 and seven years for goods over $100.

Similar laws are on the books in New York, Minnesota, California and the European Union.

Streamlined housing approval

SB 684 aims to reduce some of the red tape that complicates the process of building housing developments amid a statewide housing shortage.

The law requires cities and counties to approve ministerially — without public hearings or votes — certain subdivision projects in urban areas that include 10 or fewer housing units in many cases.

“This bill enables the construction of more homes for sale on a single parcel of land as long as the appropriate legal assurances and protections are provided,” the bill’s author, Assemblymember Juan Carrillo said. “By increasing the supply of small, low-cost, homes for sale, SB 684 opens the door to generational wealth for so many who have historically been excluded from achieving the California Dream.”

Gun taxes to fund safety programs

Firearms and ammunition sales will be hit with an additional 11 percent excise tax as part of AB 28.

Officials expect the tax to generate over $150 million annually, with funds earmarked for school safety and violence prevention programs, including efforts to prevent school shootings, bolster firearm investigations, reduce violence and remove guns from domestic abusers’ possession.

“It’s beyond shameful that gun manufacturers are reaping record profits at the same time that gun violence has become the leading cause of death for kids in the United States. The Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act will help to ensure that we have the tools and resources necessary to better protect our kids and our communities,” author Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel said.

School suspension reform

Previously, TK-12 students could be suspended from school for “disruption or willful defiance,” a category the ACLU called “overly broad” — disruption can be anything from dancing in class, violating dress codes or not paying attention.

Black boys are three times more likely to be suspended for “defiance” than the statewide average, according to ACLU California Action, which cosponsored the bill.

SB 274 will eliminate the ability for schools to suspend students for behavior covered under the “disruption or willful defiance” category in favor of other in-school interventions.

The law sunsets in 2029 for grades 6-12 to allow for state officials to evaluate what impact the law has had.

Security deposit cap

Landlords will prohibited from requiring renters from paying a security deposit the exceeds an amount equal to one month of rent.

Non-corporate landlords who own only one or two rental properties that total no more than four units will be allowed to require up to two months rent as a security deposit in many cases.

Workplace violence prevention

SB 553 will require employers to develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan, train employees and maintain records regarding workplace violence, which includes incidents that result in or have a high likelihood of resulting in injury, psychological trauma or stress.

Employees must be able to access their employers’ written plans, which must require an anti-retaliation provision for employees who file workplace violence reports.