Here are 12 controversial California policies that will take effect on January 1, 2023:
- Traffic Stops (AB 2773)
- Criminal History and Rental Housing (AB 1418)
- Gender-Neutral Toy Section (AB 1084)
- Increasing Number of Abortion Practitioners (SB 385)
- More Paid Sick Leave (SB 616)
- Off-Duty Cannabis Use (SB 700)
- LGBT Youth and Foster Parents (SB 407)
- Social Media Content Moderation Law (AB 587)
- Medi-Cal for Illegal Immigrants
- Minimum Wage Increase
- Ban on ‘Excited Delirium’ as Cause of Death (AB 360)
- Lift of Lowrider Ban (AB 436)
Traffic Stops (AB 2773)
Police officers in California will be required to explain the reason for a traffic stop when pulling a driver over.
The purpose of the law, according to the bill’s author, is to reduce “racially biased” traffic stops for low-level infractions—such as expired plates or a broken taillight.
Known as pretextual stops, such practices have resolved some significant criminal cases, including that of a serial killer who murdered 12 women in the 1980s in Riverside County.
Criminal History and Rental Housing (AB 1418)
The law will prohibit local governments from adopting rental ordinances, rules, or regulations—known as “crime free” housing policies—based on tenants’ contact with law enforcement.
Historically, such practices were in place to assist landlords in maintaining the safety of rental properties.
However, proponents have argued such is often driven by racial animus and a desire to counteract demographic trends.
Gender-Neutral Toy Section (AB 1084)
Under the new law, stores with 500 or more employees in California that sell children’s products are required to include a gender-neutral area for toys “regardless of whether they have been traditionally marketed for either girls or for boys.”
Those that fail to comply will be fined up to $250 for the first violation and $500 for a subsequent violation.
Supporters said in the bill’s analysis that it allows parents and children “freedom of self-expression,” and that such change could potentially help reduce price disparities between products marketed towards boys and girls.
However, groups opposing the bill said it would interfere with the free-market economy and would be government overreach.
Increasing Number of Abortion Practitioners (SB 385)
The new law grants physician’s assistants in California the authority to conduct surgical abortions without the direct supervision of a physician.
Currently, they are only allowed to provide abortion aspirations when a physician is not physically present.
According to the bill’s author, state Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), such a change will greatly increase the number of practitioners available to provide such procedures.
However, critics have said they oppose reducing physician oversight, citing concerns that such could lead to misconduct and that easier access to abortion could also potentially lead to less well-considered decisions.
By Sophie Li
