{"id":11326612,"date":"2025-12-30T07:39:46","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T15:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ocregister.com\/?p=11326612&preview=true&preview_id=11326612"},"modified":"2025-12-31T20:08:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T04:08:20","slug":"these-new-california-laws-will-take-effect-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ocregister.com\/2025\/12\/30\/these-new-california-laws-will-take-effect-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"These new California laws will take effect in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The start of a new year is a time to make resolutions and plans for the future. But it’s also when many new laws take effect in California.<\/p>\n

That’s true, in 2026, for various new laws that tackle antisemitism in schools and new requirements for artificial intelligence developers, as well as mandates for what’s required in a rental apartment and how certain large businesses must address climate-related financial risks.<\/p>\n

The California Legislature<\/a> sent 917 bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a>‘s desk in 2025 \u2014 38% of the 2,397 bills introduced in both the state Assembly and Senate. Of those, 794 were signed and 123 were vetoed, according to data tracked by veteran Sacramento lobbyist Chris Micheli.<\/p>\n

Micheli noted the 917 total is about “in the middle in terms of the number of bills (Newsom) has received during his seven years in office.” And his veto rate in 2025, 13.4%, is slightly below average for the governor.<\/p>\n

Here’s a look at just a handful of bills set to take effect in 2026.<\/p>\n

Antisemitism in schools<\/h4>\n

California will establish in the new year a state Office of Civil Rights, with a prevention coordinator who will provide “antisemitism education” to help teachers and other school personnel identify and prevent antisemitism in educational settings.<\/p>\n

That new law also calls for the governor-appointed coordinator to track and report antisemitism incidents in schools starting in September 2027 and for school districts to investigate and take corrective measures when discriminatory instructional material is used in classrooms or for professional development.<\/p>\n

Authored by Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Hollywood, and Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, AB 715<\/a> sparked fierce debates before its passage. Although the intent is to “prevent and address discrimination and bias,” according to the bill, opponents raised concerns that anyone who critiques the Israeli government could be mislabeled antisemitic, thus limiting free speech and academic freedom.<\/p>\n

Artificial intelligence regulations<\/h4>\n

A first-in-the-nation law requiring major AI companies to publicly disclose their safety and security protocols and report critical safety incidents, such as cyberattacks, will soon take effect. The law also provides protections for whistleblowers and calls for the creation of a public cloud compute cluster, called CalCompute, to provide AI infrastructure for start-up companies and researchers.<\/p>\n

SB 53<\/a>, known as the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act, was authored by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco.<\/p>\n

Wiener previously introduced a broader AI bill, which the governor vetoed in 2024. The lawmaker then proposed revised legislation based on recommendations from a working group of leading AI experts that Newsom convened last year.<\/p>\n

Crime victims<\/h4>\n

Starting in 2026, survivors of violence, including domestic or sexual violence, may take time off from work to attend court proceedings, such as a plea or sentencing hearing or a post-conviction release decision, if it’s related to the alleged crime of violence. The employee should be able to take time off without fear of being fired or other retaliation by their employer.<\/p>\n

AB 406<\/a>, known as the Strengthening Safe Leave Act, builds off similar work that Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo<\/a>, D-Chatsworth, pursued in 2024 to expand job protections for victims of violence.<\/p>\n

Diwali holiday<\/h4>\n

California will officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday, thanks to an effort that got broad bipartisan support<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n

Diwali is important, both festively and culturally, for Indians and the greater South Asian diaspora, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, D-San Jose, noted, and the new designation will not only be meaningful to those who celebrate the holiday but also help introduce it throughout the state.<\/p>\n

The designation lets state employees take time off with pay in recognition of the holiday. It also authorizes public schools and educational institutions to acknowledge the meaning and importance of Diwali and allows them to close.<\/p>\n

Employment contracts<\/h4>\n

Employers can no longer force an employee to enter into a Training Repayment Agreement Provision (TRAP) contract, otherwise referred to as a “stay-or-pay” contract, that requires the worker to pay back the cost of on-the-job training or other alleged debt to the employer, or to pay a financial penalty, if the person leaves before a certain time period.<\/p>\n

Employers who violate the law will have to pay for actual damages sustained to the worker or $5,000 per worker, whichever is greater.<\/p>\n

Kalra, a San Jose legislator who authored AB 692<\/a>, said the law will help stop exploitation and empower workers to leave poor working conditions. It had the support of the California Nurses Association and the California Federation of Labor Unions.<\/p>\n\n