6 New CA Laws You Should Know About

CALIFORNIA — Gov. Gavin Newsom just signed a flurry of new laws that will affect Californians of all ages. New legislation covers everything from making the high school experience more inclusive to cracking down on police officers who act with bias.

Many of the new laws going into effect are a direct response to issues that have been a point of contention throughout the pandemic. Some of them were directly inspired by the pandemic while others were born out of last year's social justice movement, spurred by George Floyd's death.

The new laws also came on the heels of a gubernatorial recall election that threatened to oust a first-term Democratic governor from office. Newsom handily defeated the effort but will immediately begin preparing for the next election in November 2022.

READ MORE: How 7 New CA Laws May Affect Your Life

Here are some of the new laws you need to know about.

1. To Go Cocktails Are Here To Stay

When pandemic restrictions shuttered restaurants and bars last year — and even closed indoor service for an extended period of time — the state scrambled to make concessions for residents. During that time, the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control agency approved to go cocktails for of-age Californians.

Last week, Newsom signed legislation, SB 389, that will make to-go cocktails a permanent fixture.

"This is an important step toward helping our restaurants, which have been hit hard by the pandemic," said Sen. Bill Dodd. "It will ensure their recovery, protecting jobs and our economy. I thank my legislative colleagues and the governor for supporting this new law."

Another piece of legislation will also allow outdoor expansions to continue at restaurants as owners strive to make up for lost revenue during the pandemic.

2. Gender Neutral Areas Required In Some Stores

The Golden State just became the first in the nation to require large department stores to display products such as toys and toothbrushes in a gender-neutral fashion. AB-1084 will do away with traditional pink and blue ways of marketing gender to young children. It is meant to support LGBTQ+ communities and challenge gender stereotypes.

While the new rules will not outlaw traditional boys and girls sections at stores, it will require large stores to have a gender-neutral section. The legislation applies to toys, hygiene items and teething products, not toys. Small businesses are exempt from the new law.

"We need to stop stigmatizing what's acceptable for certain genders and just let kids be kids,” said Assemblyman Evan Low, a Democrat from San Jose who authored the bill. "My hope is this bill encourages more businesses across California and the U.S. to avoid reinforcing harmful and outdated stereotypes."

3. 'Stealthing' Is Now Illegal

California also became the first state to make removing a condom without consent illegal. The act is commonly referred to as "stealthing."

The law adds stealthing to the state's civil definition of sexual battery, according to the bill. The passing of the law does not mean perpetrators could face jail time for stealthing; rather, the victim would be able to press charges for damages.

"I have been working on the issue of 'stealthing' since 2017. And I won't stop until there is some accountability for those who perpetrate the act," Garcia said in a statement. "Sexual assaults, especially those on women of color, are perpetually swept under the rug."

4. Badges To Be Taken From Police Officers Who Act Criminally

Following a social justice movement last year that reignited calls to reform law enforcement agencies, Newsom signed a law in late September — SB 2 — that would strip badges of police officers who act criminally or with bias.

The new law was among several criminal justice reforms approved in the wake of George Floyd's murder last year and a slew of similar cases that came to light.

Police officers in California can have their certification stripped away for using excessive force, committing sexual assault, making a false report or arrest, intimidating witnesses or participating in law enforcement gangs, according to the state. Officers will also have their badges taken if they demonstrate any bias based on religion, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical disability or mental differences.

5. Ethnic Studies Courses Are Now A Requirement For High Schoolers

California students will now be required to take ethnic studies courses to graduate high school, according to AB 101, a new law Newsom signed on Friday. The new law takes effect with the 2025-26 academic year.

The curriculum will cover the culture and history of marginalized communities.

"The inclusion of ethnic studies in the high school curriculum is long overdue," Assemblyman Jose Medina, the bill's author, said in a statement. "Students cannot have a full understanding of the history of our state and nation without the inclusion of the contributions and struggles of Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans."

6. Menstrual Products Must Be Available In Public Schools

The Golden State's public schools will now be required to stock their restrooms with free menstrual products for grades 6 to 12. Newsom signed the new bill on Friday.

The state will reimburse local agencies and school districts for providing sanitary products.

The new bill, AB 367, is meant to bolster access to menstrual products for women, nonbinary, transgender men and those who "experience inequities resulting from lack of access to menstrual products."

"Having convenient [and] free access to menstrual products means our period won’t get in the way of our education [and] will alleviate the anxiety of trying to find a product when we’re trying to learn," Assemblymember Cristina Garcia wrote on Twitter.