As new California laws take effect, changes span from gender-neutral school bathrooms to standardized food labels.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is rolling out a new round of laws starting July 1, 2026, affecting schools, housing, restaurants and the grocery store

These new laws also cover everything from major housing redevelopments to gender identity. Here’s what is coming to California on July 1.


School Bathrooms

California schools will need to provide at least one gender-neutral bathroom on campus. Appropriate bathroom signage is needed and must be well-maintained and accessible to all students.



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Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicle manufacturers will need to establish a telephone line for emergency responders. Emergency responders would be able to communicate with a remote operator to get the vehicle to leave or avoid a specified area.


Food Labels

California is hoping to clear up confusion in the grocery aisle by requiring standardized food labeling. The same labeling will need to be used across products for best-by dates. For peak freshness, products will need to use the “BEST if used by” label, and for product safety, the “Use By” label 


Housing

More high-rises and apartments will start popping up near transit areas such as bus stops, train stations, and subways, as California lawmakers have expanded permitting to create more housing in urban areas.


School IDs

California public schools that provide student identification cards for grades 7-12 and colleges will need to print the phone number and text line for the Trevor Project’s LGBTQ+ suicide hotline.

This law builds on previous legislation requiring the national suicide hotline number to be printed on the cards.


Food Allergies

Chain restaurants in California would need to provide a list of the major food allergens for each menu item as written notifications on their menus. 

The new law also adds sesame to the list of major allergens, which includes milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts and soybeans. 

This would be required for chains that have 20 or more locations.


Cell Phones

Smartphone use on school campuses across California will either be banned or limited by the start of July 2026.

Every school district, including charter schools and county offices of education, will have to make a policy limiting or banning their use, with certain exemptions, such as for emergencies. 

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