Cheaper abortions, raises for some workers and grace for jaywalkers and loiterers are some of the hundreds of new laws that take effect in California next year.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 997 new laws in 2022 and many of them take effect on Jan. 1 while some go into effect later in the year.
Here's a look at some of them.
CHEAPER ABORTIONS
Private insurance companies can't charge people co-pays or deductibles for abortions anymore. That will save an average of $543 for a medication abortion and $887 for a procedural abortion, according to an analysis by the California Health Benefits Review Program. Lawmakers also did the same thing for vasectomies, but that law won't take effect until 2024.
HIGHER PAY
California's minimum wage will jump to $15.50 per hour. That will mean raises for about 3 million workers who earn minimum wage. The increase was triggered by inflation, as required by a law passed in 2016.
GRACE FOR PEDESTRIANS
Jaywalking and loitering will be enforced differently in 2023. Police officers won't be able to ticket people for crossing the street outside of an intersection - unless they are in immediate danger of getting hit by a car. Likewise, police won't be able to ticket people for loitering for the purpose of prostitution.
HAVEN FOR TRANSGENDER KIDS
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