As the New Year begins, so do hundreds of new laws in California. Here are some that may affect you:
- All eligible voters in all statewide elections will receive a ballot in the mail. You can still vote in person by surrendering the mailed ballot at a voting location.
- Health insurance companies must offer free COVID-19 testing to their customers.
- California’s minimum wage rises to $15 per hour. Businesses with 25 or fewer workers will have an additional year to comply and must raise their minimum wage to $14 per hour.
- State unemployment officials must give notice prior to rejecting an application for jobless benefits.
- Universal transitional kindergarten begins this summer. Public school classes will be available to children who turn five between September 2 and February 2.
- By July 1, each California community college campus must have a coordinator to help students who qualify for CalFresh or other basic needs programs.
- Beginning in June, restaurants must provide only single-use utensils and packets or cups of condiment sauces on request.
You can read all the new California laws that took effect on January 1, 2022 by visiting: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/12/29/governor-newsom-highlights-landmark-new-laws-taking-effect-january-1-2022/