The New Year is coming.

And with it, a whole host of changes to California laws that will impact everything from housing costs to the way that juveniles are processed for crimes.

Of the dozens of new laws that are set to go into effect in California on Jan. 1, here are a few of the major ones and the impacts that they will have locally and on a wider level:

*AB 5 – This bill, which was approved the legislature and signed into law by the Governor, will drastically change the way that freelancers and people in the so-called “gig economy” are paid moving forward. The bill, which reclassified what constitutes an “independent contractor” as a way to try and bolster benefits for employees, is expected to adversely affect truck drivers, freelance journalists and contributors, and ride share drivers. The legality of the bill is under question as freelance journalists have filed suit to try and block the law from taking effect after it was announced by a national online news service that they would not renew contracts with freelancers from California because the state requires them to be paid minimum wage as well as be given benefits and perks typically reserved for employees. Rideshare giant Uber has said that they refuse to implement the changes and was part of an effort to defeat the bill through lobbying. Despite the controversy, the law will go into effect on Jan. 1.

*AB 1482 – This “rent control” bill will cap rent increases at 5 percent – not counting the cost of inflation – for the next 10 years and requires that landlords provide just cause for evicting those with an active lease. But the rent control mechanisms don’t apply to all rental properties. Any rental that was built within the last 15 years – adjusting every year of the bill – is not included in the new requirements, which means that new apartment complexes like Paseo Villas would be exempt from the price hike increases.

*SB 439 – This law, which was signed by former Governor Jerry Brown, will prohibit children 12 or under from being kept in Juvenile Hall for crimes except murder, rape, or great bodily harm. In the event that a minor that is 12 or under comes to the attention of law enforcement for their behavior or any unlawful action, those children would by law be released to their parent or legal guardian and not booked into custody at juvenile hall. The law is part of a larger effort to overhaul the youth criminal justice system – a movement that has prompted some liberal cities like San Francisco to completely do away with their juvenile hall facilities in favor of restorative justice practices.

*SB 419 – This bill, which affects the California public school system, prohibits schools from suspending students for willful defiance of teachers and administrators. This bill doesn’t go into effect until July 1 – in time for the 2020/21 school year – and specifically impacts students in eighth grade or below. High school students can still be suspended for willful defiance under the law, but expulsion – even in repeat cases – is taken off of the table. All students, regardless of age, can still be suspended for acts of violence or for bringing weapons or drugs to school.

*SB 30 – This bill gives heterosexual couples the ability to receive the same benefits that same-sex couples have for a long time had in California – a domestic partnership. Seen an alternative for marriage, the bill will treat domestic partners and married couples the same when it comes to filing for state taxes. The benefits would not be reciprocal at the Federal level as the Federal government does not currently recognize domestic partnerships for the purpose of taxes.

*SB 8 – This law makes it illegal to smoke at beaches anywhere in the State of California, with a $25 fine attached to those who are caught violating the ordinance. The law also makes it a crime to dispose of cigarette buts or cigars on beaches anywhere in the State of California. The filters of most modern cigarettes can take up to 10 years to fully decompose, making them an environmental hazard as well as an eyesore.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.