16 New CA Laws That Will Change Your Life In 2023

CALIFORNIA — Love ‘em or hate ‘em, new laws passed in California in 2022 were notable for being boldly progressive. Golden State residents will likely feel their impact in everyday life in 2023.

California lawmakers spent 2022 codifying into law reproductive rights, a minimum wage increase, pay transparency, elimination of the 'pink tax' price markup on products marketed toward women and a slew of new laws pertaining to traffic, the pandemic, housing, family leave, and even Dolly Parton.

Here are 11 categories of new laws that take effect in 2023 across California:

Walking Outside The Lines

A new law prohibits police officers from stopping pedestrians for certain pedestrian-specific violations, such as jaywalking unless there is an immediate danger of a crash. This law was inspired by an effort to tackle racial disparities in the number of pedestrians stopped by law enforcement for minor infractions such as jaywalking.

Death To The Pink Tax

A new law by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom prohibits businesses from charging a different price for two goods that are similar such as razors, deodorant or body wash just because they’re marketed to women. Products packaged for women have traditionally cost more than the same products marketed toward men.

New State Holidays

In 2023, the Lunar New Year, Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, and Juneteenth will be state holidays.

End To Mandatory Remedial College Math And English

A new law calls for community colleges to enroll their students in transfer-level math and English courses if those subjects are required for transfer. Community colleges often require students to take several semesters of remedial classes before they can take transfer-level math and English courses. The requirements were seen as an impediment for many students hoping to transfer and start their careers with a four-year degree.

Equal Pay Through Transparency

This new law by Senator Monique Limón expands on transparency laws that mandate pay data reporting by employee sex, race, and ethnicity. It requires large employers to make salary ranges known in job postings, and provide existing employees with the current salary range if they ask for it. The law is part of an effort to eliminate race or gender-based pay inequity with transparency.

Paid Family Leave Increase

A new law going into effect in 2023 increases paid family leave benefits for lower- and middle-income employees who have to take time off to care for loved ones.

Abortion Protections

A law by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan prohibits law enforcement and California corporations from cooperating with or aiding out-of-state entities in investigating people seeking or providing lawful abortions in California. It bars law enforcement from arresting a person for aiding in a lawful abortion in the state.

Transgender Sanctuary

A new law will shield transgender people from legal action from other states that ban gender-affirming health care, particularly for youths. The law shields transgender individuals by prohibiting healthcare entities from releasing medical information related to a person or entity allowing a child to receive gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care in response to a criminal or civil action, including out-of-state subpoenas. The law also prohibits law enforcement from arresting or extraditing people based on another state’s law against providing, receiving, or allowing a child to receive gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care.

From Dead Mall To Home Sweet Home

Legislators passed dozens of bills to combat the housing and homelessness crisis in the state including several incentives for developers to increase the production of affordable housing and to turn unused retail space into housing.

Minimum Wage Increase

The minimum wage will increase Jan. 1 in California to $15.50 per hour for all businesses. However, many California cities already have their own minimum wages that are higher than the state’s.

COVID-19 Workplace Transparency

In 2023, employers will have to notify employees of COVID-19 exposure in the workplace.

COVID-19 Medical Misinformation

Doctors who spread misinformation about COVID-19 could face punishment under a new law that makes it easier for the state medical board to take action against doctors who peddle medical misinformation surrounding the coronavirus.

Gas Price Gouging Law

A new law authored by Senator Ben Allen will require oil companies to post how much they’re profiting from Californians on their websites.

Freedom Of Creative expression

A new law restricts the use of creative content such as song lyrics and music videos against artists in court. It stems from studies showing increased legal prejudice when rap lyrics are introduced into evidence.

Catalytic Converter Theft Crackdown

A series of new laws specifically list who can sell catalytic converters to recyclers and require those recyclers to keep documentation such as the year, make, model, and copy of the vehicle title from which the catalytic converter was removed.

Dolly Parton Library

Under a new law taking effect in 2023, children in California from ages 0 to 5 will be able to sign up for free books in both English and Spanish. The law is an expansion of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library project.