Here are several recent news sources covering California’s key 2025 employment law changes:

1. Office of the Governor (Dec 2024) highlights major worker protections beginning in 2025, including ending subminimum wages for workers with disabilities, the Freelance Worker Protection Act (SB 988), and driver’s license restrictions (SB 1100) dwt.com+15gov.ca.gov+15cooley.com+15.

2. Keller Grover (Jan 2025) outlines laws going into effect Jan 1, 2025—covering minimum wage increases to $16.50/hr, the ban on “captive audience” meetings (SB 399), freelance worker protections (SB 988), PFL leave changes (AB 2123), and drivers’ license restrictions—while recommending employers update job postings, pay stubs, and policies levianlaw.com+3kellergrover.com+3hrtrainingclasses.com+3.

3. Jackson Lewis (Dec 2024) provides a comprehensive overview of 2025 laws, including expanded discrimination protections (SB 1137, AB 1815), stricter leave rights for crime victims (AB 2499), bans on mandatory political or religious meetings (SB 399), non-license job listing rules (SB 1100), and freelance protections via SB 988 hklaw.com+2jacksonlewis.com+2californiaworkplacelawblog.com+2.

4. Dentons (Jan 2025) details wage increases, broader exemption thresholds, Paid Family Leave updates (AB 2123), freelance contract formalities (SB 988), and the ban on captive audience meetings (SB 399) californiaworkplacelawblog.com+14dentons.com+14hrtrainingclasses.com+14.

These updates emphasize:

• 🚀 Wage Growth — $16.50/hr statewide minimum wage (with industry/local variations)

• 🗣️ Employee Empowerment — prohibition on mandatory political or religious meetings (SB 399), freelance worker protections (SB 988)

• 💼 Equal Opportunity — no driver’s license requirement unless truly necessary (SB 1100)

• 👪 Family and Victims’ Rights — updated Paid Family Leave access (AB 2123), enhanced workplace protections for crime victims (AB 2499)

• 🌈 Inclusive Policies — expanded anti-discrimination definitions and local enforcement authority (SB 1137, AB 1815, SB 1340)

✅ What Employers & Employees Should Do Now

• Employers: Update hiring materials, contracts, employee handbooks, pay systems, and training to reflect these changes.

• Employees & Freelancers: Understand your rights—keep informed and seek legal counsel if your rights are impacted.

Lucien Law Group is ready to help you interpret these laws, update practices, and enforce your rights in California’s evolving employment landscape.

📍 Lucien Law Group | Encino, CA

📧 [email protected] | ☎️ (818) 937-4711