New California laws taking effect July 1, 2026 LOS ANGELES - Effective July 1, California will implement new laws requiring widespread sector compliance. Key changes include mandatory menu allergen disclosures, standardized food date labeling, volume limits on streaming ads, and a ban on certain semi-automatic pistols. Additionally, the measures allow autonomous vehicles to be ticketed, promote dense transit housing, and mandate that schools restrict smartphones, provide gender-neutral restrooms, and feature LGBTQ+ hotline info on student IDs. What we know: Here's a look at the new legislation. CONSUMER RIGHTS & EVERYDAY WALLET SB-68: Food allergens Known as the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE) Act, Senate Bill 68 is a first-of-its-kind law requiring chain restaurants to provide clear, written notifications of major food allergens contained in their menu items. Fully implemented on July 1, the mandate applies to any restaurant group, franchise, or ghost kitchen operating under the same brand name with 20 or more locations nationwide. Covered facilities must disclose the presence of nine major allergens—including milk, peanuts, and newly added sesame—either directly on their physical menus or via accessible digital alternatives like QR codes and allergen grids. AB-660: Food labeling Assembly Bill 660 is a consumer protection law enacted to drastically reduce food waste by standardizing date labels on packaged foods across the state. Fully implemented by July 1, the law completely bans confusing, consumer-facing "sell-by" dates that often lead to households prematurely throwing away perfectly good grocery items. Instead, manufacturers must use uniform terminology, requiring "BEST if Used by" for peak product quality and "USE by" strictly for public food safety. This streamlined labeling system aims to save families money and keep billions of pounds of unspoiled food out of California landfills. SB-576: Video streaming ads Senate Bill 576 bans streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu from