From retail theft to cannabis shops, here are 7 notable California laws taking effect in 2025

Hundreds of new state laws will take effect in California on Jan. 1, including a large package of bills that will increase penalties for retail theft and others that aim to make streets safer for pedestrians and give employees more paid leave.

Here are some of the new laws that take effect on Jan. 1:

Retail theft

Lawmakers passed several laws aimed at cracking down on retail theft, particularly by organized groups that sell the stolen merchandise for a profit. The package includes a number of laws taking effect Jan. 1 that make it easier for prosecutors to charge professional or repeat thieves with felonies. Among them:

• A law that creates a new felony crime for people who repeatedly steal small amounts in a short period of time or possess stolen goods to resell them. The measure makes it easier for police to arrest shoplifters even if they don’t witness the theft.
• A change in law that allows someone to be charged with burglary from a car even if the car was unlocked. This provision also makes it easier to pursue a felony against those who repeatedly steal small amounts of goods.
• A law that lets retailers obtain restraining orders against people who are convicted of stealing from them.
• A law that increases penalties for professional organized retail theft rings.

Parking fines

California drivers will need to be on their toes while parking. Another law going into full effect on Jan. 1 prohibits parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk, regardless of whether there’s a designated parking spot or not.

Although the law is already in effect, cities can begin ticketing drivers starting Jan. 1. The new law aims to make streets safer for pedestrians. Fines will vary by city.

Transgender rights

After national debates over whether schools should notify parents about a child’s gender identity, at least a dozen California school districts passed policies requiring educators to notify parents if their kids ask to use a different name or pronoun. A new law taking effect Jan. 1 will ban those policies.

Expanded pay and benefits

California’s minimum wage will increase from $16 an hour to $16.50 an hour on Jan. 1.

Several new laws will also expand paid sick and family leave for employees:

• One allows workers to qualify for more paid state leave when they or a family member is the victim of a crime. Workers can also use paid sick time to serve on a jury.
• Another law eliminates the two-week vacation requirement previously needed to qualify for paid family leave. The change impacts employees who take time off work to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, domestic partner or to bond with a new child.

Worker rights

Employers will be barred from requiring workers to attend meetings where they discuss religious or political issues — including labor organizing. The new law bans mandatory “captive audience” meetings, which some businesses have used to lay out their arguments against unionizing or regulations, and prohibits retaliation against workers who decline to attend. Workers who refuse to attend these meetings must still be paid.

Farmworkers and freelancers will enjoy new legal protections. One new law will allow agricultural workers to use paid sick days to avoid extreme heat, smoke or flooding. Another will require employers of freelance workers to pay them within 30 days, unless a contract specifies otherwise, and allows contractors to bring a civil lawsuit if they aren’t paid on time.

Cannabis shops

Cannabis lounges will be able to host live performances and sell non-cannabis-infused food and drinks under another new law. The law won’t automatically grant permission for these events and sales, but it allows local cities and counties, which issue permits to local cannabis businesses, to approve them.

Food delivery details

Food delivery apps will be required to provide customers with a first name and photo of their delivery driver under a new law. The information will be provided once a purchase is out for delivery.