New California laws go into effect on July 1. Here’s what to know

Californians will see many new laws go into effect on July 1, some of which may affect their daily lives.

Laws range from banning video streaming services from playing ads at high volume to creating a pilot program to meet the critical need for hospitals in rural areas.

Here are a few new California laws you need to know:

Phone-Free Schools Act

Assembly Bill 3216: The Phone-Free School Act, first passed in 2024, requires every school district, charter school and county education office to adopt a new policy that will limit or prohibit smartphone use in schools, starting July 1.

School districts would be allowed to create their own policies to limit or ban smartphones in school, but the law requires exceptions if smartphones are needed for emergencies, responding to the threat of danger, medical needs or in a student’s personalized education program.

The Trevor Project’s 24/7 suicide helpline and text line for students

Assembly Bill 727: Beginning July 1, the bill requires public schools and public institutions of higher education serving grades 7 through 12 to print the phone number and text line of The Trevor Project’s LGBTQ+ suicide hotline on students’ ID cards.

Bathrooms suitable for all genders

Senate Bill 760: SB 760, first passed in 2023, requires every public and private school serving grades 1 through 12, beginning July 1, to provide at least one gender-neutral restroom that students can use on school sites.

Local minimum wage increase

At the beginning of 2026, California’s statewide minimum wage increased from $16.50 per hour to $16.90. However, some cities have their own local regulations requiring minimum wage increases. Increases will start on July 1 in these cities:

• Los Angeles County (unincorporated areas) – $18.47

Affordable Housing Close to Public Transportation Act

Senate Bill 79: As one method aimed at addressing California’s housing crisis, SB 79 allows housing developers to qualify for “transit-oriented housing development” zoning if they plan to develop high-density housing within a half-mile of major transit stops.

Regardless of a city’s zoning or zoning standards, the law requires municipalities to obtain a new residential development permit if a development meets the requirements. Developers can build homes up to 95 feet high and up to 160 units per acre.

New ‘silent ads’ standards

Senate Bill 576: Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more, Playing ads louder than the content being watched will not be allowed.

The legislation is consistent with federal guidelines already in place for broadcast and cable TV. Commercial Advertising Loudness Reduction (CALM) ActWhich one was it? Signed into law by President Obama in 2010 and was regulated by the Federal Communications Commission before the proliferation of streaming services.

Regulation on driverless cars

Assembly Bill 1777: The bill, originally passed in 2024, would provide additional oversight of autonomous vehicles under California law starting July 1 and address safety concerns about failures in major cities.

The law would allow law enforcement to fine autonomous vehicle companies for violations of road rules. It also creates new safety regulations for autonomous vehicles and more.

More: How will California’s new regulations affect autonomous vehicles?

New food labeling standards

Assembly Bill 660: The law, first passed in 2024, bans manufacturers from using “sell by” dates on consumer packaging for food products, starting July 1.

Instead, companies will need to use standardized terms to indicate freshness and safety:

• Quality: “Best When Used” or “Best When Used or Frozen”

• Safety: “Exploit” or “Use or Freeze”

Learn more about the law: California’s food date label law goes into effect July 1. What you need to know

New California allergen menu law

Senate Bill 68: Allergen Disclosure Code for Dining Experiences Restaurant chains with 20 or more locations are clearly Describe the “Big 9” top food allergens in menu items.

Here are the nine allergens that restaurants must disclose:

More: Allergen menu law begins on July 1. What California diners need to know

Regulations regarding pistols that can be converted into machine guns

Assembly Bill 1127: The bill would add strict new regulations that would prohibit a licensed firearms dealer from selling, trading, or delivering a semi-automatic handgun with a cross-shaped trigger that could easily be converted into a gun. “A pistol that can be converted into a machine gun.

Some handgun models can allow semi-automatic weapons to fire without repeatedly pulling the trigger if an accessory called a machine gun conversion device is installed.

This law will not affect existing gun owners and will not restrict the transfer or sale of firearms between private individuals.

More than 100 gun models have been removed from California’s “Certified Handguns for Sale” list since the beginning of 2026. To view the full list, visit: California Attorney General’s website.

Protection regarding name, gender or gender-identifying changes

Senate Bill 59: The bill expands existing California privacy laws to require courts to seal petitions and records for a change of official name, sex, or gender identifier upon the petitioner’s request.

New standardized curriculum for chartered reporters

Senate Bill 119: As a method of reforming the California Child Welfare Council, SB 119 requires the California Department of Social Services, Office of Child Abuse Prevention, to develop a new standard curriculum for mandatory reporter training to be implemented statewide.

The plan will need to be developed in collaboration with local community representatives, caseworkers, and individuals and families experienced with the child welfare system.

The bill also envisages the establishment of an “Authorized Reporting Advisory Committee” that will assist the council in determining reform priorities.

Rural hospital perinatal service pilot program

Senate Bill 669: As California’s rural counties continue to close their local hospitals due to rising labor costs and federal Medicaid funding cuts, the California General Assembly passed SB 669 to ensure rural communities do not experience “maternity care deserts.”

The law requires the California Department of Public Health to establish a 10-year pilot program that will allow five critical access rural hospitals to operate labor and delivery units on a “reserve” basis, beginning July 1.

The bill requires the first two nonprofit hospitals to be located in Humboldt and Plumas counties.

Noe Padilla is USA Today’s Northern California Correspondent. Contact him at: npadilla@usatodayco.comfollow him on X @1NoePadilla or at Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social. Sign up TODAY California newsletter or follow us on Facebook: TODAY Californian.

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: New California laws on July 1, from school phone use to streaming ads