Starting July 1, new laws will go into effect across California, bringing higher minimum wages for workers in multiple sectors, new food labeling requirements for consumers, and cellphone restrictions in schools. The changes will impact residents statewide, from restaurant diners to hospital employees to students on every public school campus.
Local jurisdictions including Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles will implement wage increases that exceed the state’s current minimum wage of $16.90 per hour. The new laws taking effect in July also introduce standardized expiration date labels on food products and require schools to limit student smartphone use during class hours.
Which Workers Are Getting Raises?
General workers in several cities will see their hourly rates increase on July 1. Los Angeles County will raise its minimum wage to $18.47 per hour, while the City of Los Angeles will implement an $18.42 rate. Pasadena will have the highest general minimum wage at $18.57, followed by Santa Monica at $18.47 and Malibu at $17.91.
Hotel and hospitality workers will see significantly larger increases. In Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Glendale, the minimum wage for these workers jumps to $25 per hour. Long Beach will set an even higher rate of $26.50 for hotel workers, while West Hollywood establishes a $20.87 minimum.
Health care workers at large hospitals and facilities with over 10,000 full-time employees will earn at least $25 per hour. General health care workers will receive $23 per hour, while clinic workers including those at urgent care facilities will earn $22. Independent rural hospitals will set a $19.28 minimum for their health care staff.
How Will Food Labels Change?
AB 660 introduces standardized language for expiration dates on food and beverage products. The law aims to reduce food waste and promote grocery donations by clarifying when products actually need to be discarded versus when they simply pass peak quality.
Products will now use “Best if used by” or “Best if frozen by” to indicate the window of peak quality, taste, or freshness. For high-risk food items, labels will state “Use by” or “Freeze by” to mark the hard deadline for safe consumption. Sell-by dates, which primarily served retailers rather than consumers, will be largely banned under the new law.
Wine bottlers can note packaging dates, and grocery stores may use “packed on” labels for deli and prepared foods. Infant formula, eggs, and beer are exempt from these requirements.
AB 68 makes California the first state to require large restaurant chains to disclose major food allergens to customers. Chains with 20 or more locations nationwide must inform diners about the presence of milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, fish, shellfish, and sesame in their menu items. The requirement does not apply to small businesses or independent restaurants.
What Changes Are Coming to Schools?
Every public and charter school in California must now have a policy limiting or prohibiting smartphone use on campus under AB 3216, known as the Phone-Free Schools Act. The law targets classroom distractions and aims to protect student mental health by reducing screen time during school hours.
SB 760 requires all public and charter schools to establish at least one all-gender restroom for students. These bathrooms must display clear signage indicating they are open to students of all gender identities.
Middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities must print the Trevor Project’s 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention hotline number (1-866-488-7386) on student ID cards under AB 727. Schools with unissued cards printed before the law’s enactment can use their remaining supply before printing new badges with the hotline information.
Will Streaming Ads Get Quieter?
SB 576 requires streaming platforms including YouTube and Peacock to regulate commercial audio volume. The law prohibits platforms from streaming advertisements at a volume louder than the actual show, movie, or video content.
The regulation prevents sudden volume spikes that startle viewers when programs transition to commercial breaks. This marks an extension of similar rules that have applied to broadcast television for years, now adapted for the streaming era.
The combination of wage increases, consumer protections, and educational policies reflects California’s ongoing efforts to address worker compensation, food transparency, student wellbeing, and digital platform standards through state legislation.
