California’s legal landscape is constantly changing, and new laws are affecting drivers, workers, consumers, renters, businesses, and families across the state. Several significant changes took effect in 2026, and additional measures approved this year will likely continue to shape California law in 2027.
Understanding these changes is key to staying informed about one’s rights and responsibilities in California. Some new laws may affect accident victims and personal injury claims by altering road safety requirements, consumer protections, and other legal obligations.
This guide highlights key California laws for 2026 and 2027. These laws address traffic and road safety, workplace protections, sexual assault claims, wildfire and disaster recovery, artificial intelligence, and other issues that may affect Californians.
New California Laws That Took Effect in 2026
Several new California laws took effect in 2026, introducing changes that affect drivers, consumers, workers, and communities across the state. The following are some of the most notable updates Californians should know.
| Law | Area | Key Change |
|---|---|---|
| AB 390 | Traffic Safety | Expands “Slow Down, Move Over” requirements to additional stopped vehicles. |
| SB 720 | Traffic Safety | Allows local governments to use automated enforcement for certain red-light violations. |
| AB 1087 | DUI / Road Safety | Increases probation periods for certain vehicular manslaughter convictions involving intoxication. |
| SB 294 | Workplace Rights | Requires employers to provide annual notices about certain workplace rights. |
| AB 250 | Civil Claims | Provides additional time for certain adult sexual assault survivors to pursue previously time-barred claims. |
| SB 524 | Law Enforcement / AI | Adds transparency requirements for law enforcement agencies using AI to prepare official reports. |
Traffic and Road Safety Laws
Expanded “Slow Down, Move Over” Requirements — AB 390
AB 390 extends California’s “Slow Down, Move Over” law to include stationary vehicles with hazard lights or other warning devices. Drivers approaching these vehicles must slow down and, when safe and possible, change lanes. This update aims to provide better protection for motorists and others stopped along the roadway.
Automated Red-Light Enforcement — SB 720
SB 720 allows local governments to establish automated traffic enforcement programs for red-light violations. Qualifying violations captured by cameras are subject to civil penalties, with implementation varying by jurisdiction.
Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated — AB 1087
AB 1087 increases the probation period for vehicular or gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated from two years to three to five years. Impaired-driving crashes may also result in separate civil claims for injured victims or surviving family members.
Workplace and Civil Protections
Workplace Know Your Rights Act — SB 294
This bill requires California employers to provide an annual notice explaining certain workplace rights. These include workers’ compensation, labor organizing, immigration-related protections, and constitutional rights involving law enforcement in the workplace. The law also includes requirements involving designated emergency contacts.
Expanded Time for Certain Sexual Assault Claims — AB 250
AB 250 gives adult survivors of sexual assault an additional opportunity to pursue civil claims that would otherwise be time-barred. Qualifying claims can be filed from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, provided they meet the law’s eligibility criteria.
Artificial Intelligence and Police Reports
AI-Generated Police Reports — SB 524
SB 524 establishes transparency requirements for California law enforcement agencies that use artificial intelligence to help prepare official reports, including disclosure, record-retention, and audit-trail requirements.
New California Laws Taking Effect in 2027
California will introduce additional legal changes in 2027, with new laws affecting drivers, workers, consumers, disaster survivors, and victims across the state. Here are some of the most important updates Californians should know about so far.
| Law | Area | Key Change |
|---|---|---|
| SB 907 | DUI / Road Safety | Adds warnings for certain drivers whose DUI charges are reduced to lesser offenses. |
| AB 1546, AB 1685 & AB 1687 | DUI / Road Safety | Strengthen certain consequences for repeat DUI offenses and related convictions. |
| SB 876 | Wildfire / Disaster Recovery | Strengthens protections involving insurance claims after major disasters. |
| AB 1795 | Wildfire / Smoke Damage | Establishes new protections involving qualifying residential smoke and contamination claims. |
| Minimum Wage Increase | Workplace Rights | Raises California’s statewide minimum wage to $17.40 per hour. |
| AB 1741 | Victim Protections | Changes penalties for certain sexual battery offenses committed in inhabited dwellings. |
| AB 1928 | Sexual Harassment | Expands procedural protections in certain postsecondary sexual harassment proceedings. |
Traffic and Road Safety Laws
Braun’s Law and Stronger DUI Protections — SB 907
SB 907, also known as Braun’s Law, strengthens California’s response to repeat impaired driving. It requires that drivers whose DUI charges are reduced to lesser offenses be warned that impaired driving endangers human life and that a future offense could result in more serious criminal charges.
Stronger Consequences for Repeat DUI Offenses — AB 1546, AB 1685, and AB 1687
California is strengthening the consequences for repeat DUI offenses through a package of new laws. These changes include longer driver’s license revocations, ignition interlock requirements, and an increase from two to three DMV points for certain vehicular manslaughter convictions involving intoxication.
Wildfire and Disaster Recovery Laws
Disaster Recovery Reform Act — SB 876
Effective January 1, 2027, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act strengthens protections for homeowners and renters recovering from wildfires and other major disasters. The law establishes additional requirements for insurers handling disaster-related claims and is intended to improve the claims and recovery process.
Smoke Damage Recovery Act — AB 1795
The Smoke Damage Recovery Act establishes new protections involving residential smoke, ash, and other contamination following wildfires. The law introduces additional requirements for insurers handling qualifying smoke-damage claims and standards for evaluating these losses.
Workplace and Civil Protections
California Minimum Wage Increase
California’s statewide minimum wage will increase from $16.90 to $17.40 per hour on January 1, 2027. The increase also raises the minimum annual salary threshold for certain overtime-exempt employees to $72,384. Some cities, counties, and industries may require higher minimum wages.
Sexual Assault and Victim Protections
Stronger Penalties for Sexual Battery — AB 1741
This bill strengthens penalties for certain sexual battery offenses. When a person enters an inhabited dwelling without consent and commits sexual battery inside, the offense may be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Sexual Harassment Complaint Protections — AB 1928
AB 1928 expands procedural protections for students involved in sexual harassment complaints at California postsecondary institutions. Complainants and respondents must be allowed to have both a support person and an advisor accompany them during the grievance process.
How Could New California Laws Affect Personal Injury Claims?
New traffic and DUI laws may change the legal consequences of dangerous driving. Updated rules involving police reports and artificial intelligence could also impact how accident-related information is documented and reviewed. However, a traffic violation or criminal offense does not automatically establish civil liability in a personal injury case.
Other changes may directly affect the options available to victims. For example, AB 250 allows adult survivors of sexual assault to pursue civil claims that were previously time-barred. Additionally, new wildfire and disaster recovery protections may alter how insurers handle qualifying property and smoke-damage claims.
Because different laws have different effective dates, requirements, and exceptions, it is important to understand which rules apply when evaluating a potential claim. An experienced California personal injury attorney can review the circumstances, identify applicable laws, preserve relevant evidence, and explain the legal options available.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Laws
Most laws passed during a regular legislative session take effect on January 1 of the following year. However, some measures have different effective dates. Urgency statutes take effect immediately after signing, while other laws establish specific implementation dates or phased requirements.
Not necessarily. Whether a new law applies to an earlier accident or claim depends on the statute’s effective date and whether the legislature made any provisions retroactive. Therefore, the date of the accident is important when determining which rules apply to a personal injury case.
Criminal DUI laws and civil personal injury claims are separate legal matters. A person injured by an impaired driver may be able to pursue compensation through a civil claim, even if prosecutors do not file criminal charges. Evidence of impaired driving may also be relevant when determining negligence and liability.
New disaster recovery measures may impact how insurers handle certain claims following wildfires and other declared disasters. Depending on the law and circumstances, these protections may involve claim processing, payments, coverage, or recovery requirements for affected homeowners and renters.
The answer depends on factors such as when the incident occurred, the type of claim involved, and the law’s effective date and requirements. A California attorney can review the circumstances of a case and determine which state laws may apply.
5 Expert Tips for Navigating California’s Current Laws
Slow down when approaching a stationary vehicle with hazard lights or another qualifying warning device. If it is safe, move into another lane. Following these requirements can help reduce the risk of serious roadside collisions.
– Review your workplace rights under SB 294.
California employers must provide employees with notices explaining certain rights, including those related to workers’ compensation, labor organizing, and constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement at work.
– Check whether AB 250 could affect an older sexual assault claim.
Certain adult survivors have a temporary opportunity to pursue civil claims that would otherwise be time-barred in California. Since the filing period ends on December 31, 2027, survivors considering legal action should determine if their claim meets the law’s eligibility requirements.
– Keep detailed records when filing a wildfire- or disaster-related insurance claim.
New disaster recovery protections taking effect in 2027 will strengthen requirements for certain insurance claims. Keep photographs, repair estimates, receipts, policy documents, and written communications with the insurer to document the damage and claims process.
– Understand how California’s new DUI laws could affect drivers and accident victims.
New California laws taking effect in 2027 intensify the consequences of certain repeat DUI offenses. After an impaired-driving crash, victims should preserve police reports, medical records, photographs, witness information, and other evidence that may be relevant to a separate civil claim.
Why Choose Adamson Ahdoot for Your Personal Injury Case
The new California laws for 2026 and 2027 introduce changes that may impact the rights and legal options available to injury victims. At Adamson Ahdoot, our attorneys stay informed about new legislation and its potential application to personal injury claims throughout California.
Our personal injury lawyers have over 100 years of combined legal experience handling cases involving car accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, sexual assault, and other serious injuries. We carefully investigate each case, preserve important evidence, identify potentially liable parties, and pursue compensation for eligible losses.
No matter what type of case you have—whether it involves a traffic accident, sexual assault, wildfire-related injuries, or another form of negligence or wrongful conduct—understanding which California laws apply is an important part of protecting your rights.
If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, contact Adamson Ahdoot at (866) 645-4992 for a free consultation, or visit our contact page to discuss your case with our legal team.
