Gun and tampon taxes in schools: laws that went into effect in California on July 1

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed several new bills into law during the last legislative session. Here are several normative legal acts that, as he writes: FOX11, come into force on July 1, 2024.

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Drug Testing Kits for Bars (AB 1013)

Bars and nightclubs must now sell drug testing kits for not much more than wholesale prices. This is to prevent drugs from being mixed into drinks.

The kits can come in the form of test strips, stickers or tubes and are designed to detect drugs such as Rohypnol (Rophy) and ketamine. These substances are used by criminals to drug and rape victims. The law applies to bars and nightclubs that are closed to minors and that sell beer, wine and spirits. There should be advertisements posted there for visitors stating that tests can be purchased or received for free (at the discretion of the establishment).

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Expired registration stickers on a car (AB 256)

This law requires the driver to have a registration sticker displayed on the rear license plate of the vehicle.

House Bill 256, which went into effect July 1 and will remain in effect until Jan. 1, 2030, would prohibit police officers from stopping drivers based solely on the statute of limitations on license plate stickers. It is prohibited to stop a driver if the sticker is less than two months expired and if the expired sticker is the only violation observed.

Gun tax (AB 28)

This law, effective July 1, 2024, adds an 11% state tax on firearms and ammunition sold in California on top of existing federal taxes. (Depending on the type of weapon, the federal tax is either 10% or 11%).

This makes California the only state in the US with such a tax. Revenue from the tax, estimated by state officials, will be about $160 million a year and will be used to fund violence prevention programs.

Hidden fees (SB 478)

This law requires the advertised or posted price of most goods and services to include all fees and charges (except government taxes and fees). This is especially true for short-term rental services such as Airbnb. The new law aims to ban "unnecessary fees" at various retail outlets, including restaurants, bars and food and grocery delivery apps. Restaurants are required to include the fees on the menu rather than adding them to the end of the bill.

Ending the practice of in-school suspension (SB 274)

This law eliminates the use of suspensions for violation or willful disobedience for California students in elementary school through 12th grade.

Under SB 274, teachers would be able to remove a student from a specific class for bad behavior, but the student would not be suspended.

Menstrual tampons and pads in schools (AB 367)

An existing law requiring public schools to provide free tampons in restrooms for students in grades 6-12 has been expanded to include students in grades 3-5.

Right to repair (SB 244)

The law requires manufacturers of electronics costing $50 or more to provide documentation and replacement parts or repair tools with the devices they sell. For equipment over $100, parts and documentation must be available for seven years from the date of manufacture. The law covers a wide range of electronic and consumer products, including cell phones, laptops, tablets and various household appliances that were manufactured and sold or used in California after July 1, 2021.

Collateral limit (AB 12)

Renters in California are no longer required to pay a security deposit greater than one month's rent. Previously, state law allowed landlords to require a security deposit equivalent to two months' rent for empty apartments or three months' rent for furnished ones.

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Preventing Workplace Violence (SB 553)

This law requires employers to develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan consistent with the new requirements of Labor Code Section 6401.9. The plan includes prohibiting retaliation against employees, responding to reports of workplace violence and taking emergency action against violence.

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