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It's not just pot: California's legislating guns, tampons and diaper changes in 2018
Story highlights
- Companies now aren't allowed to ask your salary history in California
- New law says men must have access to diaper-changing stations in large buildings
(CNN)Welcome to the new California, where you can smoke weed just for fun and change babies' diapers in the men's room.
But
there's a lot more changing than just regulations about baby-changing
tables and marijuana sales in 2018. Here's a look at the new laws now in
effect in the country's most populous state:
New salary rules
In
California, employers can no longer ask about your prior salary --
thereby preventing them from using your salary history to decide whether
to make you a job offer or to determine how much to offer you.
The law is intended to narrow the gender pay gap.
Job applicants can also request the pay scale for a position.
Free tampons in schools
For
many teenage girls, access to tampons and sanitary pads is a given. But
for low-income students, a lack of feminine hygiene products impacts
their education, said Cristina Garcia, who authored Assembly Bill 10.
"I've
heard stories from many young girls that struggle with their period on a
monthly basis, affecting their schooling, morale, and health," Garcia said.
Gov.
Jerry Brown signed the bill into law, meaning public schools with
students from grades 6 to 12 which have a 40% student poverty rate must have free feminine hygiene products in restrooms.
Baby-changing tables in men's rooms
Speaking of restrooms, fathers will no longer struggle to find a place in public facilities to change their babies' diapers.
The passage of Assembly Bill 1127 means shopping malls, sports arenas and other large buildings must have diaper-changing stations in men's restrooms or in places accessible to both men and women.
Some criminals must give up guns
Californians approved Proposition 63, which means anyone convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors must give up their firearms.
In addition, online ammunition purchases will be shipped to a licensed vendor -- not directly to a buyer's home, CNN affiliate KRON reported.
Job protection for parents in small businesses
Millions
of parents who work for small businesses will now be able to take 12
weeks off to take care of newborns -- without worrying about losing
their jobs for doing so.
The New Parent Leave Act gives three months of unpaid maternity and paternity leave to parents who work at businesses with 20 to 49 employees.
"We
are in the midst of a paradigm shift right now, one in which both
parents often work and shoulder caregiving responsibilities," said the
bill's author, Hannah-Beth Jackson. "No one should have to choose between caring for their newborn and keeping their job."
Sanctuary state status
After a year of controversy over sanctuary cities, California is reinforcing its reputation as a "sanctuary state."
City attorney: Trump should move on from sanctuary city issue 01:26
Both
state and local law enforcement agencies will not be allowed to use
their funds or personnel to investigate, detain or arrest people for
immigration enforcement purposes.
Unofficially
called a "sanctuary state" bill, supporters such as the governor said
it "prohibits the commandeering of local officials to do the work of
immigration agents."
But critics say it limits cooperation between federal agencies and local law enforcement.
Recreational pot
In
case you've been living under a rock (and not getting stoned),
California just legalized recreational marijuana to anyone over the age
of 21. That means you don't need a medical card anymore.
But
even though Proposition 64 was approved back in 2016, you might not
immediately see pot on store shelves statewide because businesses have
to apply for a state license to sell it.
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