Table Of Contents
California is rolling out a massive batch of new rules on everything from restaurant permits to school lunches. Some of these changes make everyday life easier, some protect your wallet, and others reshape how we work, rent, shop, and even handle phones at school. Here’s the simple version of what’s coming your way next year.
New health related laws
Reducing Drug Costs
Under Senate Bill 40 (SB 40), insulin cost-sharing is capped at $35 for a 30-day supply. The law also bans step-therapy prerequisites for insulin coverage and removes deductibles for many plans.
CalRX Program
California’s low-cost insulin program, created under the CalRX initiative, allows residents to buy state-branded insulin pens for no more than $55 per pack of five starting Jan. 1, 2026.
Expanding Involuntary Behavioral Health Treatment
Senate Bill 43 (SB 43) expands the definition of “grave disability” to include inability to stay safe or obtain necessary medical care, whether caused by mental illness or substance-use disorder.
New education laws in 2026
Cracking Down on Hate, Antisemitism in Schools
Assembly Bill 715 (AB 715) establishes a new Office of Civil Rights and an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator tasked with tracking, reporting, and responding to antisemitism in schools.
Notification and Protection for Educational Institutions
Under Senate Bill 98 (SB 98), schools must notify communities when immigration enforcement is on campus and may not allow officers onto certain areas without a judicial warrant.
Protecting Immigrant Children
Assembly Bill 49 (AB 49) prohibits schools from permitting immigration officers on campus without a warrant and restricts disclosure of student or family information for immigration enforcement purposes.
School Phone Policies
Assembly Bill 3216 (AB 3216) requires all public K-12 schools to implement student phone-use limitations by July 1, 2026.
Statewide CSU Direct Admission Program
Senate Bill 640 (SB 640) guarantees automatic admission to a CSU campus for eligible high-school graduates based on academic records.
Ultra-Processed Foods Banned from School Lunches
Assembly Bill 1264 (AB 1264) bans certain “harmful” ultra-processed foods from school lunches by 2035.
New crime & public safety laws
Bias Mitigation Training Does Not Constitute Discrimination
Senate Bill 303 (SB 303) criminalizes threats of mass violence targeting workplaces, schools, houses of worship, and medical facilities.
‘No Vigilantes Act’
Senate Bill 805 (SB 805) requires plain-clothes officers to visibly display ID showing their agency and either a name or badge number.
‘No Secret Police Act’
Senate Bill 627 (SB 627) prohibits federal and local law enforcement from wearing face masks during duties and requires agencies to post written policies limiting face coverings.
Protecting Immigrant Patients’ Rights
Under Senate Bill 81 (SB 81), immigration enforcement agents cannot enter nonpublic healthcare facility areas without a judicial warrant.
Statute of Limitations Extended for Sexual Assault Claims
Assembly Bill 250 (AB 250) creates a two-year window from 2026–2027 to revive previously expired civil sexual-assault claims.
New business & consumer laws
Accelerated Restaurant Building Plan Approval
This measure, officially Assembly Bill 671 (AB 671), creates a voluntary, expedited path for permitting small, independent restaurants seeking to retrofit existing spaces — allowing licensed architects and engineers to self-certify simple plans while maintaining all required inspections and safety checks.
Combating Auto Retail Scams
Under Senate Bill 766 (SB 766), consumers who buy or lease a new or used car from a California dealer will have a first-in-the-nation right to return a used car for a refund within three days of purchase and benefit from improved pricing transparency. The bill also requires dealers to disclose full costs up front and prohibits charging for add-ons that provide no benefit, such as free oil changes for electric vehicles.
Expanding Outdoor Dining Flexibility
This law, Assembly Bill 592 (AB 592), enables open-kitchen restaurants to take advantage of California’s climate by permitting windows, folding doors, or non-fixed storefronts, giving owners more flexibility in providing outdoor premises.
Food Delivery Platforms: Customer Service
Under Assembly Bill 578 (AB 578), food delivery platforms are prohibited from using tips or gratuity to offset a driver’s base pay and must provide clear itemized pay breakdowns.
Required Appliances in Rental Apartments
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Assembly Bill 628 (AB 628) requires apartments to come equipped with a refrigerator and stove, along with other basic appliances most renters reasonably expect.
Single-Use Carryout Bag Ban
Starting January 1, 2026, Senate Bill 1053 (SB 1053) allows stores to distribute only recycled paper bags at checkout. Stores may charge a minimum of 10 cents per bag.
Self-Service Storage Facilities: Rental Agreement Disclosures
This law, Senate Bill 709 (SB 709), amends California’s Self-Storage Facility Act by requiring rental agreements entered after Jan. 1, 2026, to disclose whether fees are discounted or promotional, whether they may change, and the maximum possible rental fee in the first 12 months.