We are very pleased to provide you once again with our annual overview of select new California laws for 2023 (and beyond) for your consideration. Below you will find a link to download a report which provides a summary of new laws which will affect a broad swath of California industries in addition to our civil litigation practice.
This year Governor Newsom signed 997 bills into law, over six hundred more new laws than in 2021. Highlights of a few of the more noteworthy new laws are set forth below.
AB 35 (MICRA Changes) – Among other changes – non-economic damage caps in medical malpractice cases are raised and increased over time.
SB 1227 (Involuntary Behavioral Health Commitment) – Changes to Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and timing of involuntary treatment as well as institutes process for court intervention.
AB 1738 (Building Standards: Installation of EV Charging Stations in Existing Buildings) – Requires updating of California Building Standards to provide for mandatory installation of EV charging stations.
SB 836 (Evidence: Immigration Status) – Reenacts provisions prohibiting disclosure of a party’s immigration status in open court in a civil action without first requesting an in-camera hearing to determine if the evidence is admissible.
SB 1155 (Liability Claims: Time-Limited Demands) – Provides a framework for parties to settle a lawsuit vis a vis a pre-litigation time limited demand which places the burden on insurance carrier to disclose to insured and basis of same which could be sued against the insurer in a bad faith action.
AB 1632 (Restroom Access: Medical Conditions) – Requires a place of business open to the public with employee restrooms allow persons with medical conditions to utilize the restroom even if the restroom does not normally make the restroom available to the public.
AB 1901 (Dog Training: Disclosure Requirement) – Requires dog trainer to disclose in writing to a purchaser of dog training services any civil judgments related to these services and any criminal animal cruelty convictions.
AB 2288 (Advance Health Care Directives: Mental Health Treatment) – Clarifies that health care decisions made pursuant to California Health Care Decisions Law includes mental health decisions. The new law revises the statutory advance health directive form to clarify that a person may include instructions related to mental health conditions.
SB 864 (Hospital: Drug Screening) – Requires a hospital to include drug screening for fentanyl if a person is treated at the hospital and the hospital conducts a urine drug screening to assist in diagnosing the patient’s condition.