by Breanna Reeves
Overview: California has implemented several new laws as of January 1, 2025, aimed at improving public safety, supporting families, and upholding education. These laws include Senate Bill 989, which requires law enforcement officers to be up-to-date on training related to domestic violence cases, and Assembly Bill 1821, which ensures students learn about Native American narratives during key periods of California’s past. Additionally, Proposition 36 allows felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for thefts under $950 if the defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions. Other laws include AB 2943, which allows an officer with “probable cause” to arrest a person for shoplifting, and AB 3209, which allows a court to issue a “retail theft restraining order” that will prohibit a person convicted of organized retail theft from entering a store for up to two years.
With the start of the new year, California residents can look forward to the implementation of dozens of new laws, some of which aim to bolster public safety, support families and reinforce the state’s commitment to protecting education. .
Take a look at some of the laws that took effect on Jan. 1, 2025:
Supporting survivors and victims of domestic abuse
Last September, Newsom signed a package of bills that aim to protect victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Among those bipartisan bills are Senate Bill 989 which will require law enforcement officers investigating cases of domestic violence to be up-to-date on training related to domestic violence. This bill also authorizes coroners to conduct an inquiry “in consultation with a board-certified forensic pathologist,” if a suicide is suspected of being caused by or related to the domestic violence.
“I am proud to sign these laws to help victims escape their abusers and provide them with financial tools and security to rebuild their lives,” Newsom said in a statement after signing the bills last September.
Other laws in the package taking effect with the new year include Assembly Bill 2432 which creates the California Crime Victims Fund. The bill helps guarantee additional resources for survivors; and Senate Bill 963, which requires hospital staff at all general acute care hospitals with emergency departments, to implement procedures allowing patients to identify themselves as a victim of human trafficking or domestic violence. This will enable hospital staff to connect victims with support services.
Protecting education in California
Despite threats to eliminate the Department of Education by President-elect Donald Trump, California legislators continue to double down on expanding access to cultural and ethnic education and protecting students.
Assemblymember James Ramos (D-San Bernardino) authored AB 1821 which will ensure students learn about Native American narratives during key periods of California’s past, including the Spanish colonization and Gold Rush eras.
Another law, AB 1825 (California Freedom to Read Act), prevents public libraries that receive state dollars from excluding books “based solely on the race, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status or political affiliation of a book’s subject, author or intended audience.”
In 2023, 98 books were challenged at public libraries in California, according to the American Library Association (ALA), who has been tracking book censorship attempts since 2014. The ALA noted that a challenge may result in access to a book being retained, restricted or revoked at a school or public library. Among the 98 books challenged, attempts were made to restrict access to 52 of those books. Across the nation, 4,240 books were targeted for censorship. Among the top 10 were books such as “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky.
Tougher penalties for retail crimes
With reports of a steady rise in retail and property crimes across the state in 2024, California votes made their frustrations clear when they passed Proposition 36 last November. Prop. 36 “allows felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for thefts under $950, if the defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions.”
In addition to Prop. 36, Newsom signed other crime bills into law such as AB 2943 which allows an officer with “probable cause” to arrest a person for shoplifting, even if the officer did not witness the act.
AB 3209 allows a court to issue a “retail theft restraining order” that will prohibit a person convicted of organized retail theft, shoplifting, theft, vandalism or assault of a retail employee from entering the establishment, or other locations of the same establishment, for up to two years.
Additionally, SB 1416 will create sentencing enhancements for selling or exchanging, or attempting to sell or exchange, any property acquired through acts of shoplifting, theft or burglary from a retail business.
Strengthening support for families
According to data compiled by Cal Matters, seven maternity wards closed in California in 2024, with another hospital in Hemet announcing plans to close. California residents across some of the remote cities in the state have become or are at risk of becoming maternity care deserts, where residents in a county have no access to birthing hospitals or centers.
In an effort to protect access to maternity care units and psychiatric units, SB 1300 extends the required advance notice period from 90 days to 120 days. This new law also requires local public hearings to give residents and local leaders the opportunity to voice their concerns and protect health care services in their community.
A 2022 law, SB 951, authored by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), also reached full implementation on Jan. 1, 2025. This bill now increases wage replacement rates for Paid Family Leave and State Disability Insurance.
“California’s new laws tackle today’s biggest emerging challenges head-on. Through partnership with the Legislature, we’re strengthening public safety, building more housing, and providing more resources for our communities,” Newsom said in a statement.
