From bans on declawing cats and plastic grocery bags to new anti-discrimination protections for students and cheaper insulin, a raft of new California laws takes effect Jan. 1, with others rolling out through 2026.
The measures survived months of negotiations in the state Legislature and scrutiny from Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has shown a willingness to veto bills he opposes – even with Democrats holding supermajorities. Some proposals drew opposition or support from powerful business and labor interests.
Here are the highlights:
Ban on cat declawing
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Cat lovers across California should take notice of Assembly Bill 867, which bans the practice of declawing cats. Newsom signed the law in October, and it goes into effect Jan. 1.
The law prohibits veterinarians from declawing cats except when medically necessary. Newsom sided with animal welfare advocates who say the practice goes far beyond trimming claws, instead involving the amputation of a cat’s toes – a procedure that can cause pain and long-term health problems.
East Bay Assemblymember Alex Lee, who owns two cats, sponsored the bill. A leading veterinary group opposed it, arguing politicians should not dictate which medical procedures veterinarians can perform. The California Veterinary Medical Board may suspend or revoke the license of any veterinarian who violates the new law.
California caps insulin costs
Millions of Californians with diabetes depend on regular doses of insulin to regulate their blood sugar – medication that has become a symbol of unaffordable health care in the United States.
Starting Jan. 1, SB 40 limits health insurance co-pays and deductibles for all types of insulin to $35 a month. The law was sponsored by San Francisco Sen. Scott Wiener and Sen. Aisha Wahab of the East bay and Silicon Valley, both Democrats.
Most other states already cap insulin cost-sharing for insured patients. Newsom vetoed an earlier version of the bill in 2023 as his administration planned to sell California’s own insulin. That effort is now coming to fruition: one type of “CalRx” insulin is expected to hit pharmacy shelves in January.
Law enforcement mask ban
A new law, SB 627, limits when law enforcement officers can wear face coverings while on duty, making it a crime in most circumstances for officers to conceal their identities with masks. The law applies to state and local agencies and purports to cover federal officers operating in California, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who have worn masks during recent neighborhood enforcement actions. Officers found to have intentionally broken the law will face an infraction or a misdemeanor.
The law contains exemptions for officers working undercover or in “tactical operations” and for “protection of identity during prosecution.”
Trump administration officials slammed the law and said they would ignore it.When Newsom signed the bill in September, questions remained about how California could enforce it against federal agents. In a November court challenge, the U.S. Department of Justice argued the law is unconstitutional.
Bay Area lawmakers Jesse Arreguin, aisha Wahab and Wiener helped carry the bill. State and local law enforcement agencies must update their official policies by July to comply with the law.
New California Laws Taking Effect in 2025: Phones, discrimination, Guns, and Wages
California is ushering in a new year with several new laws impacting schools, safety, and workers. Here’s a breakdown of key legislation taking effect in 2025:
Smartphone Restrictions in Schools
Starting January 1,2025,California schools will largely restrict student smartphone use during school hours. Assembly Bill 825 requires K-12 schools to develop policies limiting access to phones, though schools can allow exceptions for specific educational purposes, health needs, or emergencies.
While the law doesn’t impose a complete ban, it aims to reduce distractions and improve student focus. Education researchers have noted that blanket bans can have unintended consequences,and many districts were already implementing limitations. For exmaple, San Mateo High School banned phone use in 2019, and the Fremont Unified School District allows teachers to control phone use in their classrooms. The California Teachers Association supported the bill, while the California School Boards Association opposed it, citing existing authority to regulate phone use.
Combating Discrimination in Schools
In response to rising concerns about harassment and antisemitism, Assembly bill 715 expands anti-discrimination protections for all students, with a specific focus on protecting Jewish and Israeli students. The law mandates that schools investigate and address discriminatory content in classrooms and staff training.
The bill also establishes state-level anti-discrimination coordinators to track and prevent bias. Schools found to be using antisemitic content will be required to develop an “betterment plan” in collaboration with the state antisemitism coordinator. Senate Bill 48 accompanies AB 715, further bolstering thes efforts. the California Teachers Association remains opposed,expressing concerns about potential impacts on free speech and academic freedom.
enhanced gun storage Requirements
Beginning January 1, 2025, California gun owners will be required to store firearms securely, either in a gun safe or with a certified safety device like a cable lock, under Senate Bill 53.this law aims to reduce gun deaths, including suicides, and prevent unauthorized access to firearms, especially by children.
While enforcement may be challenging – misdemeanor charges apply only after three violations – supporters point to research indicating the effectiveness of safe storage laws. Unloaded antique firearms are exempt. California already has laws criminalizing unsafe gun storage when a child accesses a firearm and causes harm.
Minimum Wage Increase
California’s statewide minimum wage will increase to $16.90 per hour on January 1, 2025, impacting both tipped and non-tipped workers. however, many cities and counties in the Bay Area have already established higher local minimum wages.
As of 2026, minimum wages in several Bay Area locations will be:
* Cupertino: $18.70 per hour
* San Jose: $18.45 per hour
* Oakland: $17.34 per hour
* Richmond: $19.18 per hour
Sources:
* https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/10/14/california-schools-smartphone-ban-ab-825/
* https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/fsdcertlist
* https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24888124-rand-science-of-gun-policy-report/
* https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/02/california-lawmakers-seek-to-rein-in-ethnic-studies/