21 New California Laws You Need to Know in 2024

In 2024, California will witness significant changes with the introduction of several new laws. These legislative updates range from housing regulations to amendments in criminal justice, promising to bring notable shifts to the state’s legal framework.

In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of the new California laws set to take effect this year and examine their potential impact on personal injury claims.

New California Laws in 2024

There are around twenty-one new California laws and amendments taking effect this year:

Traffic Laws

• Bicycle Signals: This is a new section of the OmniBike Bill or AB 1909. It will require cyclists to obey all signals when a traffic control signal displays different colored bicycle symbols at the same time as the official traffic control signals. This new law could make it difficult for victims of bicycle accidents to file a personal injury claim. This is in the case they were found guilty of not following the signals. 
• Speed Safety Pilot Programs: AB 645 is a new California law introduced by Assemblymember Laura Friedman. This new legislation applies primarily to the cities of Long Beach, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. They can develop a speed safety pilot program in “school zones, high injury networks, and areas popular for street racing.” However, the law also requires the listed cities to engage in a 30-day public information campaign before the program’s implementation.
• Shared Mobility Devices: AB 410 was introduced by Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer. It will expand the legal definition of mobility devices to include electrically motorized boards, motorized scooters, electric bicycles, and non-electric bicycles. It will also require shared mobility service providers to add tactile signs containing raised characters and braille. This will make it easier for users to identify devices when reporting negligent activities. 
• Pedestrian Crosswalks: This new law passed in California will prevent drivers from parking “within 20 feet of the vehicle-approach side of a crosswalk” to help reduce pedestrian accidents and fatalities. 
• Stops by Police Officers: AB 2773 mandates law enforcement to tell drivers why they have been pulled over before asking questions. Thus, this amendment will help prevent discrimination and racial profiling. 

Criminal Justice

• Concealed Carry Revision: SB 2 will prevent concealed carrying of firearms in public spaces such as sidewalks and school zones.
• Right to Possess Firearms: AB 455 will take effect July 1, 2024. It will allow prosecutors to prohibit a defendant who is subject to pretrial mental health diversion from owning or possessing a firearm. They cannot have their firearms rights restored until they complete their diversion.
• Fentanyl Distribution Penalty: AB 701 will increase the potential prison sentences for criminals convicted of dealing large amounts of fentanyl.
• Child Sex Trafficking: Child sex trafficking will now be classified as a serious felony, according to SB 14. The amendment will also impose heavier penalties on criminals convicted of the crime. 
• Ebony Alerts: SB 673 will create a new emergency alert called the Ebony Alert, intended to help locate missing Black women and youth between the ages of 12 and 25.
• Excited Delirium: AB 360 prevents coroners, medical examiners, and physicians from using the term “excited delirium” as a cause of death. Therefore, the controversial designation will no longer be recognized as a valid medical diagnosis. 
• Victim Compensation: AB 56 will expand the eligibility for victim compensation. According to the new California law, victims of felony violations such as attempted murder and sexual assault will be able to include emotional injuries in their claims. 

Civil Law & Procedures

• Jurisdictional Limit: SB 71 will increase the jurisdictional limit in small claims court from $10,000 to $12,500. It will also increase the limit for civil cases from $25,000 to $35,000.

Workplace Laws

• Cannabis Use: State Sen. Steven Bradford’s SB 700 will make it unlawful for employers to discriminate against anyone in hiring, termination, or any condition of employment for the off-the-clock use of cannabis. 
• Retaliation in The Workplace: SB 497 will allow employees to establish a retaliation claim against their employer under the Equal Pay and Anti-Retaliation Act.
• Return-to-Office: SB 731 requires all employers to provide a 30-day written notice to their employees before requiring them to return to their offices. 

Housing Laws

• Security Deposits: AB 12 will put a cap on renters’ security deposit of no more than one month’s rent. However, “owners of no more than two rental properties, compromising no more than four units, can request up to two months’ rent” as a security deposit. 
• Costa-Hawkins & Permanent Disabilities: AB 1620 was signed into law last October. It will allow tenants to “maintain the same rent if they request the landlord to move to a comparable or smaller unit in the same building due to a permanent disability related to mobility.” However, tenants must meet certain criteria to qualify for the move.

Consumer Protection

• Ambulance Bills: AB 716 repeals Section 10352 of the Insurance Code regarding ambulance bills. According to the new California law, insurance companies must negotiate and settle payments with ambulance companies for out-of-network charges.
• False Advertising: AB 1366 will establish a state restitution fund for those victimized by false advertising. 

Stay Updated About New California Laws in 2024

New laws have the potential to impact various aspects of your life, influencing your rights and freedoms. Staying informed is key to empowering yourself to advocate for your interests.

For expert legal assistance, consider Adamson Ahdoot.

Adamson Ahdoot is a premier civil litigation firm serving injured victims in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. 

Our personal injury lawyers have a combined legal experience of over 100 years. We have handled diverse personal injury cases, ranging from slip-and-fall accidents to wrongful death cases. 

By choosing us, our experienced attorneys will do everything they can to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. We will spare no effort in our fight for justice and fair compensation.

Call us at (800) 310-1606 today to schedule your free consultation with a premier injury attorney.