New state laws coming to California in 2024.
SACRAMENTO >> With the arrival of 2024 a slate of new laws will be implemented in California and residents can learn more at the website for the state’s Office of the Governor or numerous private media sites or nonprofit public interest sites.
There are hundreds of new laws but some having wide-spread compliance involve employment, housing. banking, agriculture, traffic, credit and public health. Beginning with state minimum wage, it increases to $16 per hour on January 1. It previously was at $15.50 but some cities and counties had a higher local minimum wage. Starting in April, for fast food workers, the minimum will be $20 an hour.
And beginning in June, minimum wage for healthcare workers will rise to $23. Workers must be employed under, covered health care facilities in California. Paid sick leave will be mandatory for all employees who have been working in California for the same employer for 30 or more days within their starting year. It requires an employee to have no less than 40 hours or five days of accrued sick leave or paid time off by the 200th calendar day of employment, or in each 12-month period. Also, Work From Home policy, requires an employer to provide a 30-day advance written notice before requiring remote employees to return to an in-person model. The notice would also explain the employees right to remain remote as an accommodation, if applicable, to their disabilities.
Meanwhile, for agricultural workers, new legislation requires an employer to give an employee written notice of the federal H-2A visa in English or Spanish, at the employee’s request. Other languages may also be included and require the Labor Commissioner to create a template that complies with these requirements. The bill will go into effect starting March 15.
Legislation regarding security deposits would cap security deposits at one month’s rent even if the unit is furnished or not. But the new law will allow owners of no more than two rental properties, or no more than four units, to request up to two months of rent.
New rent control legislation would require that tenants in rent-controlled units, who have permanent disabilities related to mobility, be allowed to relocate to an available and accessible unit at the same rental rate and terms. This requirement will apply to properties with five or more rental units and will take effect on Jan. 1. In the meantime, SB 267 prohibits the use of a person’s credit history as part of the application process for a rental housing accommodation.
Also, next year, speed cameras will allow the cities of Long Beach, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Los Angeles and San Francisco to establish a Speed Safety System Pilot Program. The program would require the listed cities to engage in a 30-day public information campaign before implementation to determine where systems would be detecting violations. Violations captured by speed cameras will be subject to civil penalties up to $25. The program runs until 2032.
Conservatorship for Gravely Disabled Persons under Code 5350 will initiate the procedure of establishing, administering and terminating a conservatorship for persons who are disabled as a result of a mental health disorder or impairment by chronic alcoholism. Minors with disabilities can now be appointed a conservator, who will undergo a background check and may be subject to stand before a court. This new code will go into effect on Jan. 1.
Also, Electronic Medical Records under Code 14046 would allow the establishment of the Medi-Cal Promoting Interoperability Program for the purposes of providing federal incentive payments to Medi-Cal providers for the implementation and use of electronic health records systems. On Jan. 1 this statute will go into effect. SB 616 amends California’s Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 to raise the amount of paid sick time employees can obtain each year from three to five days (or 40 hours) for full-time employees. The law also expands the annual accrual limit from six days (or 48 hours) to 10 days (or 80 hours).
Concealed Carry Revision: SB 2 prevents concealed carry of a firearms in some public spaces, including sidewalks and school zones. Meanwhile, AB 701 increases potential prison sentences for criminals convicted of dealing large amounts of fentanyl.
These new employment laws are vast. It would behoove employers to revise relevant policies and practices, including employee handbooks and employment agreements containing restrictive covenants, to ensure compliance. Employers should also start preparing workplace violence prevention plans to be in compliance by July 1, 2024.
