These new California laws take effect on July 1. Here's what you should know
A new fiscal year in California begins on July 1, and with it comes a fresh round of new laws that will impact people across the state.
The laws tackle a variety of objectives, including consumer rights and public safety.
Here are some of the new laws that will affect the most Californians:
Insurance coverage for fertility treatments
Under Senate Bill 729, fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization, must be covered under most insurance plans. The law also applies to diagnosis and infertility treatments. Religious employers — defined by the law as nonprofits with a religious purpose, including churches — are exempt from the new law's requirements.
CARE Court updates for family members
SB 42 sets new requirements for California's CARE Court, an initiative backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom aimed at providing court-ordered services and treatments for those with mental illnesses. Under the new law, courts will be required to provide key case updates to the person who petitioned a court for CARE Act services to be provided to a family membe, including the reasoning behind continuances and dismissals.
Subscription cancellations
Businesses will be required to provide California consumers the ability to cancel a subscription using the same platform used for sign-up. For example, if a person signed up for a streaming service on a website, the business must provide a way to cancel in the same way. Assembly Bill 2863 also requires that companies ensure the process is simple, without "obstructing" the consumer from attempting the online cancellation.
A new bar safety measure
In a new safety measure, bars will be required to provide drink lids to customers when requested. Bar owners, however, may charge for lids at a reasonable fee. AB 2375 also requires signs to be posted in a prominent place with the phrase: "Don't get roofied! Drink lids and drink spiking drug test kits available here. Ask a staff member for details."
New transparency for short-term rental cleaning charges
Owners of short-term rental properties will no longer be able to charge a cleaning fee without providing an itemized list of tasks that guests should complete before checking out. Cleaning fees can only be assessed if guests fail to do those tasks. AB 2202 requires that any penalties for a failure to complete cleaning tasks be listed on the website or platform where the property was rented.
Pet insurers' premium increases
If a company offering pet insurance raises its premiums, it must now explain the reason why to its consumers under SB 1217. Explanations may include the pet's age, or a move to a different geographic location, but insurers must provide reasoning for the change and a heads-up on exclusions, medical test requirements and waiting periods.
Student mental health resources
SB 1063 requires all student ID cards issued to children at public and private schools in grades 7-12 to have mental health resources printed on them, including the number for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Schools may also print a QR code on IDs that leads to a county mental health resource website.
