SAN FRANCISCO — If you thought you got a good deal on an Airbnb and discovered a bunch of hidden fees at checkout, a new state law makes it illegal to hide those unnecessary fees.
This is just one of several laws that will go into effect on July 1, 2024 in California.
Here’s what changes:
RIGHT TO REPAIR
BS244: Getting your iPhone repaired will be easier and cheaper. The Right to Repair Act requires manufacturers to provide consumers and repair shops with the parts, tools, and documentation needed to service or repair the device. The law applies to household appliances and electronics like televisions, audio and video recording equipment, and cell phones that cost $50 or more.
HIDDEN FEES
BS 478: Prohibits businesses from advertising the price of an item and then adding hidden fees at the time of purchase. The Price Transparency Act requires businesses, restaurants, websites and apps to display the true cost of an item or service, such as lodging, live event tickets and fees food delivery. Businesses are not required to include taxes and shipping charges. A bill (SB 1524) still under consideration would allow restaurants to list additional charges as a separate item on their menus instead of listing them on the price of food.
SHORT TERM RENTAL
AB 537: Requires hotels, motels, and short-term rentals on Airbnb and Vrbo to disclose the full price of a rental in their advertised rate, including cleaning fees and other charges. Government taxes and fees must not be included in the rate. The law imposes a $10,000 penalty for failing to disclose the true cost of the rental.
RENTAL DEPOSIT
AB 12: Any new rental agreement signed after July 1 will only require a one-month security deposit. Existing rental agreements that required larger deposits are not affected. Landlords can still charge additional fees at the end of the lease if damages exceed the one-month deposit.
NO ROOF LAW
AB 1013:Businesses that sell alcohol for consumption on their premises must sell or give away rape testing kits to customers. Bars and nightclubs must also post signs in their establishment informing patrons that drug testing kits are available. Businesses will need to source their own kits.
SODIUM NITRATE
AB 1109
:
Ban online marketplaces from selling sodium nitrite to anyone under 18. Stores would be required to verify the age of the person purchasing the chemical. A companion bill (AB 1210) restricts the sale of products with sodium nitrite concentrations of up to 10 percent. Known as Tyler’s Law, AB 1109 addresses the growing problem of teen suicides.
FIREWORKS
AB 1403:Requires the State Fire Marshal to identify and evaluate methods for collecting data on fires, injuries, and damages caused by illegal fireworks and safe and sane fireworks. The goal is to train law enforcement and firefighters in the seizure, transportation, and storage of fireworks, and in the prosecution of persons caught in possession of illegal fireworks.
The law doubled fines for illegal fireworks from January 2024.
GUN TAX
AB 28: Imposes an 11% tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition. The money generated will be used to fund gun violence prevention and school safety programs. California is the first state to implement such a law.
PERSONAL CAR SHARING
AB 893: Requires people who rent their vehicles through third-party peer-to-peer platforms like Turo or Getaround to pay the same tourism fees and taxes as traditional car rental companies.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION
AB 256: Prohibits police from stopping a vehicle solely because the license plate registration has expired, unless at least one month has passed since the original expiration month. Law enforcement may cite a vehicle with expired tags if the vehicle was stopped for another violation.
MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS
AB 230:Requires public and private schools with students in third grade and up to provide free menstrual products in their restrooms. Expands a previous California law that required menstrual products starting in sixth grade.
SCHOOL ATHLETICS
AB245: Requires high school athletic trainers, who already receive training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to receive training on recognizing and responding to the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest. Certification in the use of external defibrillators will also be required.
“WILL CHALLENGE”
SB 274: Prohibits the suspension or expulsion of K-12 students for what is called “willful defiance,” defined as disrupting school activities or challenging school personnel. Research studies have shown that students of color, homeless, and LGBTQ+ students are more likely to be disciplined for willful defiance than other students.
The Keep Kids in School Act requires schools to use intervention methods instead and provide support as an alternative.
PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE
SB 553: Requires businesses with 10 or more employees to implement and maintain a workplace violence prevention program. Employers must train workers to identify and respond to workplace violence risks. Employers must maintain a record of workplace violence incidents.
HATE CRIMES
AB 449:Requires California law enforcement to adopt a hate crimes policy that guides officers on how to recognize suspected hate crimes. It authorizes the Department of Justice to review submitted materials to ensure law enforcement agencies are complying with the law.
Ownership Disclosures
AB 968:A single-family residential property owner who sells his or her home within 18 months of purchasing it must disclose the name of every contractor involved in any additions, structural alterations or repairs to the property, as well as copies of all permits obtained. The law applies only to new transactions.
HOUSING CONSTRUCTION
Bill SB 684:Allows cities and counties to build mid-rise residential developments without public hearings or votes. Developments must have 10 or fewer residential units and be located on lots no larger than five acres. The law applies only in areas already zoned for multifamily housing.
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