JANUARY 2023

BUSY LEGISLATORS

The state legislature with Governor Newsom’s signature passed 997 new state laws.  Many of the laws went into effect on January 1st while some go into effect later in the year.  Here are some.

Minimum Wage:  The California minimum wage jumps to $15.50  per hour.  Some places have a higher minimum wage.

Abortions:  Private insurance companies can’t charge people co-pays or deductibles for abortions anymore.

Pedestrians:  Police officers will not be able to ticket people for crossing the street outside of an intersection – unless they are in immediate danger of getting hit by a car.  Police will also not be able to ticket people for loitering for the purpose of prostitution.

Transgender Children: This law blocks out-of-state subpoenas and stops health providers from sharing information with out-of-state entities related to gender affirming care defined as “medically necessary health care that respects the gender identity of the patient, as experienced and defined by the patient.”  That includes hormone therapy to suppress secondary sex characteristics.  This law relates to children who come to California for transgender surgeries and other gender-affirming care.

No More Pink Tax:  Women’s deodorants and shampoos often cost more than similar male products.  Retailers often charge more for these products which is a practice know as the

“pink tax.”  A new law states that retailers must charge the same prices for products that are

“substantially similar” regardless of their marketing.

New State Holidays: 

• April 24th            Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
• June 19th             Juneteenth – Celebrates Abolishment of                                                                                                     Slavery in the United States
• Lunar New Year  Between the end of January and the first                                                                                                    month of the lunar calendar.