California Enacts New Laws to Ease Financial Burden on Citizens, Protect from Corporate Interests
Protecting Californians from Excessive Banking Fees
California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas highlighted 12 new laws passed during the recent legislative session that will ease the financial burdens facing many Californians and protect their bottom lines from corporate interests. Most of these laws will go into effect on January 1, 2025, and many were passed with bipartisan support.
Fair Limits on Security Deposits
- AB 12: Limits security deposits to one month’s rent, regardless if the rental is furnished or not.
Protecting Paid Family Leave
- AB 2123: Allows workers to use paid family leave first without exhausting accrued vacation time.
Simplifying Subscription Cancellations
- AB 2863: Requires subscription cancellation methods to match signup methods. For example, if someone subscribes online, they must be able to cancel online with a simple click-to-cancel option.
Returning Security Deposits
- AB 2801: Mandates landlords return deposits in full if the rental is left clean and requires landlords to take pictures of the property if claiming damage or cleaning fees.
On-Time Rent and Credit Building
- AB 2747: Allows renters whose landlord owns a residential property with more than 15 units to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus in order to build credit history. The law goes into effect in April 2025.
Expanding Affordable Housing Opportunities
- AB 2694: Facilitates affordable housing development for seniors.
- SB 1123: Permits up to 10 homes on vacant lots in single-family zones.
Streamlining Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Development
- AB 3057: Expedites environmental review for junior Accessory Dwelling Units.
- SB 1211: Increases the allowable number of ADUs on multifamily properties from 2 to 8.
Protecting Consumers from Medical Debt
- SB 1061: Prevents medical debt from appearing on credit reports or being used in credit decisions.
Conclusion
These new laws demonstrate the California Assembly’s commitment to protecting Californians from excessive banking fees, ensuring fair security deposits, protecting paid family leave, simplifying subscription cancellations, returning security deposits, and expanding affordable housing opportunities. The laws also aim to streamline Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) development and protect consumers from medical debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When do these new laws go into effect?
A: Most of the laws will go into effect on January 1, 2025.
Q: How many new laws were passed during the recent legislative session?
A: 12 new laws were passed.
Q: What is the purpose of the new laws?
A: The laws aim to ease the financial burdens facing many Californians and protect their bottom lines from corporate interests.
Q: What is the main focus of the new laws?
A: The main focus is on affordability, particularly in housing.
