The California Legislature passed about 1,200 bills last year, including a surprise Republican victory that promises consumer protections and small advances for the entertainment industry.

In the end, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed about 84% of the bills he received. Many of these laws go into effect today, January 1st, as California begins the new year. Here are some things you need to know heading into 2025.

cannabis

Cannabis cafes are legal: Thanks to this, you can now feel as relaxed at a pharmacy as you would at a restaurant or cafe. AB1775. The new law brings an Amsterdam-style approach to cannabis use by allowing cannabis retailers to produce and sell edibles and non-alcoholic beverages in locations known as cannabis cafes and lounges. Before the law, customers could smoke in some pharmacies, but businesses were only allowed to sell prepackaged snacks and drinks. Some health concerns say the law is a step backwards, given the risks of second-hand smoke.

artificial intelligence

Actors are protected from AI imitation. It is now mandatory to draw up a contract specifying the use of artificial intelligence to reproduce an actor’s voice or likeness. Assembly Bill 2602 It aims to protect the careers of performers and actors by preventing artificial intelligence from copying their voices and likenesses without their permission. In the summer of 2023, the actors and screenwriters union shut down Hollywood during a months-long strike that ultimately led to new contract negotiations regarding the industry’s use of artificial intelligence. Last year, courts also began questioning businesses that sell deepfakes of celebrity voices, with Scarlett Johansson raising concerns about AI voices resembling her own.

Voices of deceased actors will not be misused: Anyone who uses a deceased actor’s voice, or a voice similar to that actor’s voice, without the consent of the deceased’s heirs will be subject to a $10,000 fine. AB1836 The system, sponsored by SAG-AFTRA, builds on advances in artificial intelligence, which the union says can “easily replicate the human voice.”

Deepfakes containing sexually explicit images are prohibited. Current revenge porn laws have been expanded to: SB926 Prohibits the unauthorized distribution of artificially created sexually explicit images of real people. This law specifically applies if the intention is to cause serious emotional distress to the person depicted in the image. Earlier this year, Laguna Beach High School officials investigated students who disseminated sexually exploitative AI-generated images, and in Beverly Hills, a group of eighth-graders were accused of superimposing pictures of their classmates’ faces onto pseudo-nude bodies. He was expelled from school. artificial intelligence.

Social media platforms make it easy to report deepfakes. Social media platforms are required to have a mechanism for reporting users who are unknowingly depicted with sexually explicit videos or images. SB981. The bill’s sponsor, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, said pornographic deepfakes on social media are a “growing threat” to adults and teens.

wages and personal finances

No more overdraft fees: State-chartered banks and credit unions are currently prohibited by the following laws: AB 2017 Overdraft fees (also known as insufficient funds fees) when a customer tries to withdraw money, buy something with a debit card, or send money and there are insufficient funds and the transaction is declined. You will no longer be charged. It was inspired by a similar proposal the Biden administration issued early last year.

The minimum wage will increase: Workers making the statewide minimum wage will see their hourly wage increase annually from $16 to $16.50 in 2024. This pay scale is it may change It depends on the city or county you live in and what industry you work in. The minimum wage for fast food workers is currently $20 an hour. some citiesOther industries, including Los Angeles, require minimum wages of more than $17 an hour.

Workers who take family leave can receive more money. Workers earning less than $63,000 per year are 90% of salary Workers who earn more will receive 70% of their wages while they are on leave to bond with a new baby or care for a sick family member. SB951Previously, low-wage workers were eligible for 70% of their pay during family leave, so many people take leave even if they pay into a disability insurance plan that covers their benefits. I couldn’t. . The new, higher replacement wage will be paid by all workers who pay into the state’s disability income program. 1.2% of salary will be deducted in 2025, up from 1.1% in 2024.

housing

Eviction notices will take longer to respond to: Tenants now have twice as much time to respond in writing to eviction notices. The previous statutory time for legal action to be taken was 5 business days, which has now been extended to 10 business days. AB 2347. The bill’s authors said giving tenants just five days to respond is “unusually short” and could potentially lead to a landlord winning the case without the tenant even having a day in court. He said there are many. The authors stated that extending response times would allow tenants more time to seek advice, gather evidence, and submit appropriate responses.

health care

Medical debt is not included in your credit score. Credit agencies can no longer include medical debt on people’s credit reports under the following laws: SB1061. Ann Estimated 40% of Americans have some type of medical debt that they can’t pay off. Supporters of the law argue that medical debt is a poor predictor of a person’s credit risk and can prevent individuals and families from finding housing, other necessities, or getting a job. he claimed.

Incarcerated women do not need permission to obtain menstrual products. Women in prisons and detention centers now have free access to sanitary products such as pads and tampons. AB1810. The law allows women to obtain these products without obtaining permission from prison guards and has been linked to reports of sexual harassment.

education

Children will learn about California’s important history. Public schools will now be required to comply with the following provisions: AB1805 It’s about Mendez v. Westminster, a 1947 case involving a Mexican family from Orange County that fought to end racial segregation across California. The bill’s authors emphasized the importance of teaching students about the case to “learn the civil rights challenges facing Mexican Americans in this state.”

Gender representation in schools: The first law in the nation prohibits school districts from requiring teachers and staff to disclose to parents if a student begins using new pronouns or identifies as a different gender. circa 1955 It would also protect school officials from retaliation if they refuse to notify parents of their child’s gender preferences. The policy was introduced in response to more than a dozen conservative-led school board policies that would require teachers to notify parents if a child’s name or pronouns are changed. The issue has sparked heated debate at statehouses and across school districts, with some parents angry that the state wants to keep them in the dark and LGBTQ+ activists calling for mandatory notification. argued that forcing students to leave would foster a “dangerous” environment.

safety

Parking will be more difficult and walking will be safer. California has stricter parking rules AB413. Police can now ticket drivers who park within about 20 feet (about the length of one car) of a crosswalk. Drivers must abide by these rules regardless of whether the curb is painted red. The purpose of this law is to increase pedestrian visibility at busy intersections. Although the law has technically been in force since the beginning of 2024, police plan to start issuing fines to drivers from January.

New law to curb retail theft: Over the summer, Congress passed a comprehensive package of 11 bills aimed at combating theft in retail stores. Seven of these are currently in effect. These include: Retail stores can seek restraining orders against people who repeatedly steal from their stores. Prosecutors would be able to coordinate criminal charges against people across multiple counties and have them dealt with in a single court, and those who commit arson in the act of stealing would face harsher penalties. Read the Times’ extensive coverage of these new laws.