SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — As California begins 2020, new laws will go into effect addressing issues like housing, gun ownership, healthcare, and more.
New laws signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this year will begin Jan. 1, 2020, while laws signed in previous years, like the minimum wage law, will have an effect on Californians at the start of 2020.
Here's a look at new state laws to know at the start of the new year:
HOUSING
Rent control: Under AB 1482, California communities without rent control will now be covered by statewide rent control protections. Rent increases will be limited to 5 percent per year plus inflation and never more than 10 percent total. The state law won't apply to housing built within the last 15 years.
HEALTH
Healthcare for immigrants: California will be the first state to offer Medicaid coverage for low-income adults 19 to 25 years old regardless of immigration status under SB 104.
FIREARMS
Price to purchase: Firearm-related sales will increase $31.19 in California under AB 1669, to be used for firearms-related regulatory and enforcement activities.
Gun buying: Under AB 164, anyone prohibited from buying a firearm in another state will not be allowed to purchase a firearm in California.
Firearm storage: Anyone who owns a firearm that is taken out of the home by a child or "prohibited person" can be charged with a crime and be banned from owning a gun for 10 years under SB 172.
AT WORK
Minimum wage: Under SB 3, minimum wage workers will see another increase in their paycheck, as the wage rises $11 to $12 an hour in California for companies with 25 or fewer employees and $13 an hour for larger companies.
Gig economy workers: AB 5 requires independent or contract workers to be considered employees and not independent workers if the employer controls the work, if the work is part of the company's core business, or if the employer directs the worker in their job.
Hair at work: With SB 188, California becomes the first state to ban workplace and school discrimination based on a person's natural hairstyle or texture, including braids, twists, and locks.
WILDFIRES
Public safety shutoffs: SB 167 requires utilities like SDG&E to create plans to mitigate impacts of public safety shutoffs to those with disabilities requiring special energy needs and allow those companies to provide backup resources or financial assistance for resources to those customers.
Wildfire warning center: The state Office of Emergency Services and Department of Forestry and Fire Protection will create the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center under SB 209 to help collect and disseminate data, and predict and prepare for wildfires using a statewide network.
ANIMALS
Vet adoption: Adoption fees for military veterans will be waived under SB 245. Under the law, shelters will confirm a veteran's eligibility using California's current "veteran" driver's license designation.
Animal testing: SB 1249 bans the sale of cosmetic products with ingredients tested on animals after Jan. 1, 2020, but does not apply to products sold globally where animal testing is required by law.
