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Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a slate of California laws scheduled to take effect in 2026, highlighting legislation aimed at public safety, affordability, consumer protection, transparency, and accountability across multiple sectors.
The measures include changes affecting education, health care, immigration, housing, workplace rights, animal welfare, technology, and environmental policy. Newsom said the laws reflect California’s priorities of protecting residents and holding institutions accountable. His office framed the announcement as part of the state’s broader policy approach amid ongoing political tensions with the federal government.
New education-related laws expand mental health and student support services. AB 727 requires public middle schools, high schools, and public colleges to include the Trevor Project’s 24-hour crisis hotline on student identification cards and to maintain resources addressing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
AB 1264 removes certain ultra-processed foods from public school meals, while AB 1454 increases educators’ access to literacy training and instructional tools. SB 640 establishes a direct admissions process within the California State University system, notifying eligible high school students of automatic admission and creating clearer transfer pathways from community colleges.
Several measures address health care access and affordability. SB 40 caps insulin copays at $35 for a 20-day supply for large state-regulated health plans beginning Jan. 1, 2026. AB 55 eases licensing requirements for alternative birth centers, and AB 836 creates a statewide midwifery workforce training program.
Other laws expand the state’s emergency food bank reserve to include diapers and wipes (AB 798), increase access to prenatal multivitamins (SB 646), and establish a pilot program for perinatal services in rural hospitals (SB 669).
AB 419 requires schools to post information about students’ rights regarding immigration enforcement. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Act, strengthens protections for children and parents during emergencies and limits the collection of immigration-related information by child-serving facilities.
AB 628 requires landlords to provide working refrigerators in rental units beginning in 2026. SB 79 mandates that cities and counties adopt comprehensive general plans with required elements, including housing, to support long-term development and transit-oriented growth.
California will enact a statewide ban on non-therapeutic cat declawing under AB 867. Additional measures address pet sales and imports, requiring disclosure of animals’ origins and health records, restricting third-party pet brokers, and strengthening health certificate requirements for dog imports.
AB 250 temporarily lifts the statute of limitations for adult survivors of workplace-related sexual assault cover-ups, allowing civil claims to be filed between 2026 and 2027. SB 642 expands equal pay enforcement by broadening definitions, extending filing deadlines, and clarifying unlawful pay practices.
Several new laws regulate artificial intelligence. AB 489 prohibits AI chatbots from presenting themselves as licensed medical or professional providers. SB 53 requires large AI developers to maintain documented risk-mitigation strategies, while SB 243 mandates disclosures and safety safeguards for minors using AI chatbots.
Other measures require disclosure when AI is used to draft police reports (SB 524), strengthen protections against AI-generated sexual content (AB 621), and increase consumer and worker protections for food delivery platforms, including transparency in pay and customer service access (AB 578).
SB 1053 updates California’s plastic bag regulations by closing loopholes that allowed thicker plastic bags to be labeled reusable. The law eliminates plastic film checkout bags and requires retailers to offer durable reusable bags or recycled-content paper bags.
The laws take effect at various points in 2026 unless otherwise specified.