San Francisco, CA—A series of pivotal new laws will take effect in California starting July 1, 2024, introducing significant changes aimed at enhancing consumer protection, safety, and environmental responsibility across a range of industries and everyday activities.
Among the most anticipated regulations is the proclamation of the Right to Repair Act which mandates manufacturers of electronic devices and home appliances to supply necessary repair information, tools, and parts to both consumers and independent repair shops. This law, pertinent to devices costing $50 or more, is expected to decrease repair costs and extend the lifespan of frequently used devices.
In an effort to promote transparency and fairness in advertising, California’s SB 478 introduces stringent rules against hidden fees in pricing. The new measure requires that the actual cost of services and goods, including those offered on websites and apps such as food delivery and event tickets, must be clearly disclosed, barring any additional hidden charges at the point of sale. Another consumer-friendly mandate, AB 537, specifically targets the hospitality sector, compelling hotels and short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to include all ancillary charges in their advertised rates.
Housing and rental markets also see reformed regulations with AB 12, which enforces a cap on security deposits for new residential leases to no more than one month’s rent. This aims to make rental housing more accessible and alleviate upfront financial burdens for tenants.
Enhancing public safety, AB 1109, known as Tyler’s Law, restricts the sale of sodium nitrite — a chemical associated with a spate of teenage suicides — to individuals over 18 and caps the concentration levels in products. Steps are also being taken to increase safety in public venues where alcohol is consumed by requiring establishments to provide customers with access to date-rape drug test kits and information, under AB 1013, enhancing preventive measures against drug-facilitated sexual assaults.
Fiscal measures see changes as well; AB 28 imposes an 11% tax on firearms and ammunition sales, with the generated revenue earmarked for gun violence prevention and school safety programs. This initiative positions California as the first state to levy such a tax, aiming at curtailing gun-related incidents while bolstering educational and preventive resources.
Further illustrating California’s progressive stance on technology and personal property, AB 893 mandates that private car rentals facilitated through platforms like Turo or Getaround be subject to the same tourism fees and taxes as traditional rental companies. This law seeks to level the playing field in the burgeoning peer-to-peer car-sharing market, ensuring fair taxation and regulatory compliance.
Alongside these, numerous other laws such as the prohibition of the suspension or expulsion of students for ‘willful defiance’ at school, the strengthening of restrictions on hate crimes, and measures to ensure menstrual products are accessible in schools reflect California’s comprehensive approach to addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges through legislation. As these laws come into effect next year, they are set to reshape many aspects of daily life and commerce in California, paving the way for other states to potentially follow suit in various legislative capacities.