INSIDE
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January 2 - January 8, 2026 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
See Page 6
California Laws Taking Effect in 2026 Target Costs, AI, Schools, and Public Safety
Another first-in-the-nation law, AB strengthens protections for families facing Measures Expand 1264, will prohibit the most concerning emergencies by safeguarding privacy and ultra-processed foods from being served in limiting the collection of immigrationWorker Rights, public schools, a move aimed at improving related information at child care facilities. nutrition and long-term health. Starting in 2026, AB 628 will require Regulate Technology, student To support literacy, AB 1454 expands landlords to provide working refrigerators access to training and instructional tools for in rental units. Another housing-related law, Strengthen teachers and school leaders. Meanwhile, SB 79, mandates that cities and counties Protections for SB 640 establishes a direct admissions adopt long-term planning strategies that process within the California State include housing development as a required Students and University system, notifying eligible high element. school students of automatic admission California will implement a statewide SB 53 requires large AI developers Renters. and improving transfer pathways from ban on non-therapeutic cat declawing to maintain documented risk-mitigation A sweeping package of new California laws set to take effect in 2026 will expand consumer protections, lower health care costs, regulate artificial intelligence, and strengthen public safety and accountability, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday. The measures, approved during the most recent legislative session, span education, health care, housing, immigration, labor rights, technology, and environmental policy. Newsom’s office said the laws reflect the state’s continued focus on affordability, transparency,and protections for vulnerable communities. Several laws focus on student wellbeing and access to resources. Under AB 727, public middle schools, high schools, and public colleges will be required to include the Trevor Project’s 24-hour crisis hotline on student identification cards, expanding access to suicide prevention and mental health support for LGBTQ youth. The measure also directs education agencies to maintain resources addressing discrimination and harassment.
community colleges. New health laws target affordability and access. Beginning January 1, 2026, SB 40 will require large state-regulated health plans to cap insulin copays at $35 for a 20day supply. AB 55 eases licensing requirements for alternative birth centers, improving access to midwifery services, while AB 836 directs funding toward statewide midwifery workforce training. SB 646 expands access to prenatal multivitamins, and SB 669 establishes a 10-year pilot program to provide standby perinatal services at selected rural hospitals. Families facing emergencies will also see expanded support under AB 798, which broadens the state’s emergency food bank reserve program to include diapers and wipes. Schools will be required to post information about students’ rights related to immigration enforcement under AB 419, reinforcing that all children are entitled to a free public education. The Family Preparedness Act, AB 495,
under AB 867, allowing the procedure only when medically necessary and performed by a licensed veterinarian. Lawmakers also targeted so-called puppy mill practices. AB 506 increases disclosure requirements for pet sellers, while AB 519 prohibits third-party pet brokers from selling animals bred by others for profit. SB 312 strengthens oversight of dog imports by requiring electronic health certificates. Workplace-related laws include AB 250, which temporarily lifts the statute of limitations for adult survivors of workplace sexual assault cover-ups, allowing civil claims to be filed between January 2026 and December 2027. Equal pay enforcement is expanded under SB 642, which broadens definitions of unlawful pay practices and extends the statute of limitations. Several measures regulate artificial intelligence. AB 489 bars AI chatbots from posing as licensed professionals, while AB 621 strengthens protections against AIgenerated sexual exploitation.
strategies, and SB 243 mandates safeguards for minors using AI chatbots, including disclosures that chatbots are not real people. SB 524 requires law enforcement agencies to disclose when AI tools are used to draft police reports. Food delivery platforms will face new consumer and worker protection requirements under AB 578, including clearer pay disclosures, limits on tip use, guaranteed refunds for failed orders and access to human customer service representatives. Environmental updates include SB 1053, which tightens California’s plastic bag regulations by closing loopholes that allowed thicker plastic film bags to be marketed as reusable. The law requires retailers to transition to durable reusable bags or recycled-content paper bags. State officials said the laws are designed to strengthen protections while addressing rising costs and emerging technologies, with implementation rolling out throughout 2026.
Los Angeles Security Guard Jenia Resha Belt Faces Murder Count in Fatal Crash That Killed Braun Levi Prosecutors File Murder, Manslaughter Charges in Killing of Braun Levi
Los Angeles prosecutors have charged a 33-year-old security guard with murder in the traffic death of 18-year-old Loyola High School student and tennis standout Braun Levi, who was struck in Manhattan Beach earlier this year.
Jenia Resha Belt of Los Angeles is charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and one misdemeanor count of driving while her privilege was suspended or revoked for a specified blood-alcohol level, authorities said. She is being held on $2 million bail. Braun Levi’s mother, Jennifer, said, "I'm here sharing the statement today because the life of our beautiful 18-year-old son, Braun Levi, brutally and senselessly ended in a preventable tragedy." My plea is to Gov. Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers. This is not a political issue;
this is a human issue." Levi is advocating for new state laws to restructure California DUI sentencing and punishment Investigators allege Belt was speeding and driving under the influence when she hit Levi about 12:45 a.m. May 4 as he crossed Sepulveda Boulevard at Ronda Drive. Levi was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said. Belt’s arraignment has been continued to Jan. 13 in Department C of the Torrance Courthouse. If convicted as charged, Belt faces up to 15 years to life in state prison. Deputy District Attorney Brittany Vannoy of the DUI Training and
Prosecution Section is prosecuting the case, which remains under investigation by the Manhattan Beach Police Department, according to prosecutors.