New California laws taking effect July 1 will impact wages, schools and gun sales

Several new California laws and rules are set to take effect on July 1, including health care worker minimum wage increases, new school requirements, and changes affecting handgun sales.Among the most notable changes is the next phase of the state’s health care worker minimum wage law.Depending on the type of facility, covered workers will see wages rise to $25, $23, or $22 an hour on July 1.Workers at large health systems, dialysis clinics, and certain county-run facilities are among those moving to $25 an hour, while other covered facilities and certain clinics will follow different phase-in schedules.California schools are also facing new requirements. Most K-12 schools must offer and maintain at least one all-gender restroom for students by July 1.New rules are also aimed at cracking down on smartphone use in schools, while updated student ID requirements will add the suicide prevention hotline number, 1-866-488-7386, for students in grades 7 through 12 and in colleges.Other July 1 changes include a new rule that makes adult gender-identity name change petitions confidential and removes the court objection process for adult petitions.In transportation, autonomous vehicles operating without a human driver inside must meet new requirements for interacting with first responders, including providing a two-way communication device.California is also moving to standardize food date labels with clearer language about when products are expected to be at peak quality or should no longer be used. The new law is also intended to encourage grocery donations and help reduce food waste.“Best if Used By” or “Best if Frozen By”: These labels are meant to clearly indicate when a product is expected to have its best quality, taste, or freshness.“Use By” or “Freeze By”: These phrases mark the deadline for high-risk perishable foods.Sell-by dates: These will largely be banned.Wine: Bottlers may include packaging dates.Deli and prepared foods: Grocery stores may use a “Packed On” label.Exemptions: Infant formula, eggs, and beer.California will also be the first state in the nation to require large restaurant chains to disclose common food allergens to customers, including fish, shellfish, sesame, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans.In health coverage, new student health insurance protections are also set to begin.And in firearms policy, certain Glocks and Glock-style handguns that do not meet California safety requirements can no longer be newly sold in the state beginning July 1.They will be classified as a type of machine gun because they can be converted into automatic weapons with a converter. This ban does not include private sales.

SALINAS, Calif. —

Several new California laws and rules are set to take effect on July 1, including health care worker minimum wage increases, new school requirements, and changes affecting handgun sales.

Among the most notable changes is the next phase of the state’s health care worker minimum wage law.

Depending on the type of facility, covered workers will see wages rise to $25, $23, or $22 an hour on July 1.

Workers at large health systems, dialysis clinics, and certain county-run facilities are among those moving to $25 an hour, while other covered facilities and certain clinics will follow different phase-in schedules.

California schools are also facing new requirements. Most K-12 schools must offer and maintain at least one all-gender restroom for students by July 1.

New rules are also aimed at cracking down on smartphone use in schools, while updated student ID requirements will add the suicide prevention hotline number, 1-866-488-7386, for students in grades 7 through 12 and in colleges.

Other July 1 changes include a new rule that makes adult gender-identity name change petitions confidential and removes the court objection process for adult petitions.

In transportation, autonomous vehicles operating without a human driver inside must meet new requirements for interacting with first responders, including providing a two-way communication device.

California is also moving to standardize food date labels with clearer language about when products are expected to be at peak quality or should no longer be used. The new law is also intended to encourage grocery donations and help reduce food waste.

“Best if Used By” or “Best if Frozen By”: These labels are meant to clearly indicate when a product is expected to have its best quality, taste, or freshness.“Use By” or “Freeze By”: These phrases mark the deadline for high-risk perishable foods.Sell-by dates: These will largely be banned.Wine: Bottlers may include packaging dates.Deli and prepared foods: Grocery stores may use a “Packed On” label.Exemptions: Infant formula, eggs, and beer.

California will also be the first state in the nation to require large restaurant chains to disclose common food allergens to customers, including fish, shellfish, sesame, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans.

In health coverage, new student health insurance protections are also set to begin.

And in firearms policy, certain Glocks and Glock-style handguns that do not meet California safety requirements can no longer be newly sold in the state beginning July 1.

They will be classified as a type of machine gun because they can be converted into automatic weapons with a converter. This ban does not include private sales.