New California Laws: What to Know for 2024

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

January 1 marked the start of the new year—and the day many new California laws went into effect. From a minimum wage increase, workplace changes and more, here are some noteworthy laws that could bring some day to day changes for Palisadians.

Minimum Wage Increase 

California’s minimum wage increased from a rate of $15.50 per hour to $16 for all employers at the start of 2024.

In 2016, then-Governor Jerry Brown signed a law that increased the minimum wage each year until it reached $15 per hour. After $15 was reached, annual increases were set to take place on the first day of the year.

However, a number of California cities and counties have enacted minimums above the state’s—including Los Angeles County, which raised its floor to $16.90 in July 2023. On July 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Los Angeles will increase to $17.27 per hour.

And in April, Assembly Bill 1228 will go into effect, raising the minimum wage of fast food workers to $20 per hour.

Workplace Changes

California workers are now guaranteed five sick days—or 40 hours—up from the three days employers were previously required to provide, due to Senate Bill 616, introduced by State Senator Lena Gonzalez.

Upon signing the bill on October 4, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom said too many people were left to choose between “skipping a day’s pay and taking care of themselves or their family members when they get sick.”

“We’re making it known that the health and wellbeing of workers and their families is of the utmost importance for California’s future,” he shared in a statement.

According to the governor’s office, offering sick days reduces health care costs and “helps save employers money,” through increased productivity and morale.

Introduced by State Senator Steven Bradford, Senate Bill 700 makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a person in hiring, termination, and any term or condition of employment, or otherwise penalize a person because of their use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace. The bill makes it unlawful for employers to request information from an applicant for employment relating to their prior use of cannabis.

Housing 

Written by State Senator Susan Eggman, Senate Bill 267 prohibits the use of a person’s credit history as part of the application process for a rental housing accommodation. Housing providers are asked to “reasonably consider … alternative evidence in lieu of the person’s credit history,” such as lawful, verifiable alternative evidence of the applicant’s reasonable ability to pay. This can include, but is not limited to, government benefit payments, pay records and bank statements.

Public Safety 

Senate Bill 2 prohibits a person from carrying a concealed firearm in most public places, including—but is not limited to—playgrounds, amusement parks, churches, banks, stadiums, arenas and more.

Senate Bill 14 defines human trafficking as a “serious felony,” meaning offenders of this crime can face up to life in prison.

Assembly Bill 701 sets harsher punishments for individuals convicted of dealing high amounts of fentanyl. AB 701 will potentially increase prison sentences and penalties to those in possession of more than one kilogram of the substance.