Each year the legislature works to move bills to the governor’s desk for his consideration and signing. Although many bills never reach the governor’s desk, 836 did before the Oct. 10, 2021 deadline. Of those bills, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 770 into law ranging from raising of the minimum wage to requiring ethnic studies as a high school graduation requirement.
Here is a sampling of new laws in effect as of Jan. 1.
Education
AB 101: High school graduation requirements: ethnic studies – Commencing with the graduating class of 2029-30, high school students will have to have taken a one semester course in ethnic studies to receive a diploma.
Employment
SB 3: Starting Jan. 1, California’s minimum wage increases to $15 an hour for employers with 26 or more employees making California’s minimum wage the highest in the country. On Jan. 1, 2023, employers with fewer than 26 employees will also see a rise from the current minimum wage of $14 an hour to $15. The current federal minimum hourly wage is $7.25.
AB 701: Warehouse distribution centers — Provides that an employee shall not be required to meet a quota that prevents compliance with meal or rest periods, use of bathroom facilities and prohibits punishing workers for taking mandatory rest and bathroom breaks.
Law enforcement
AB 26: Peace officers: use of force — Creates a duty for law enforcement personnel to intervene when observing another officer using excessive force and to report incidents of unnecessary force to a...
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