Because we don’t have enough laws that we don’t really enforce. Get ready for these brand new laws that will go into effect July 1st. Food labels. All-gender restrooms (don’t we have that already?) Minimum wage increases. Allergen disclosures. Here is a handy infographic:
California Laws Taking Effect July 1, 2026
- Standardized Food Date Labels
- Food packaging must use clearer labels such as “Best if Used By” and “Use By” to reduce food waste.
- Student Smartphone Policies
- All California school districts and charter schools must adopt policies limiting student smartphone use during the school day.
- All-Gender School Restrooms
- Every K-12 public school must provide at least one all-gender restroom.
- Updated Student ID Cards
- Student IDs for grades 7-12 and public colleges must include suicide prevention and crisis hotline information.
- Restaurant Allergen Disclosure
- Chain restaurants with more than 20 locations must identify common food allergens in menu items.
- Local Minimum Wage Increases
- Several California cities, including San Francisco, Berkeley, and Alameda, will increase their local minimum wages.
- Healthcare Worker Pay Raises
- Certain healthcare workers will receive state-mandated wage increases, generally ranging from $1 to $2 per hour, depending on the employer.
- Restrictions on Certain Handguns
- California prohibits the sale of certain easily convertible Glock-style handguns and requires additional firearm seller training.
- Robotaxi and Autonomous Vehicle Requirements
- Autonomous vehicle operators must establish emergency communication systems for first responders and comply with new traffic enforcement requirements.
- Expanded Fertility Treatment Coverage
- Certain health insurance plans must provide expanded coverage for fertility and infertility treatments.
- Privacy Protections for Court Records
- New confidentiality protections apply to court records involving adult name and gender-change petitions.
- Transit-Oriented Housing Changes
- New rules are intended to encourage higher-density housing development near public transit corridors.
These laws are among the latest measures approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, with additional laws scheduled to take effect later in 2026.
