6 New California Laws You Should Be Aware Of

Governor Gavin Newsom signed several new laws that range from high school students to police officers, according to Patch.

Here are 6 new laws in effect in California that you should know about:

1. California's public schools are now required to stock bathrooms with free menstrual products for grades 6 to 12.
2. Ethnic Studies courses will now be required to graduate high school according to a new law that will take effect in the 2025-26 academic year.
3. Badges and certifications will be taken from police officers who use excessive force, commit sexual assault, making false reports or arrests, and other criminal acts.
4. California is now the first state to make removing a condom without consent illegal. The now criminal act is commonly referred to as "stealthing."
5. Another first in the nation, the state will now require large department stores to display products like toys and toothbrushes in a gender-neutral fashion. For example, some stores will get rid of traditional pink and blue ways of marketing gender to young children in an effort to support LGBQ+ communities by challenging gender stereotypes.
6. To-go cocktails, which became popular during the era of the pandemic when restaurants and bars were required to close, are now a permanent fixture. Another law will also allow outdoor expansions at restaurants to continue.