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## New Laws Impacting Small Businesses in California

### Introduction
With the start of the new year, businesses in California are gearing up to comply with the legislation signed into law during the past year. The National Federation of Businesses has identified several new laws that will have a significant impact on small business compliance in the state.

### Challenges Faced by Small Business Owners
California’s small business owners are grappling with issues such as finding qualified employees and managing the effects of inflation, according to John Kabateck, the California state director for the National Federation of Independent Business. As a result, it’s crucial for these businesses to stay informed about the changing legal landscape to ensure compliance and avoid potential penalties.

### Newly Enacted Laws Effective Jan. 1, 2024
The following bills, set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, will bring about important changes for small businesses in California:

#### SB 848
This law amends California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act to protect eligible employees’ rights to take up to five days of reproductive loss leave, covering events such as miscarriage, failed adoptions and surrogacy, stillbirth, or unsuccessful assisted reproduction. The leave must be taken within a three-month window after the loss.

#### SB 616
This law extends the requirement of paid sick leave from three to five days, expanding its coverage to employees under collective bargaining agreements and increasing the accrual thresholds for paid sick leave.

#### SB 700
This law makes it unlawful for an employer to request information from a job applicant about their prior use of cannabis, with certain exemptions for criminal history inquiries.

#### AB 2188
This legislation makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against individuals based on their off-duty, non-psychoactive cannabis use, and empowers the California Civil Rights Department to investigate and prosecute complaints related to these unlawful practices.

### How AI legalese decoder Can Help
Small businesses can benefit from using the AI legalese decoder to navigate the complexities of these new laws. The decoder can provide simplified explanations and actionable insights, helping business owners understand their compliance obligations and take the necessary steps to adhere to the regulations. It can also assist in updating company policies and practices to align with the legal requirements, ultimately reducing the risk of non-compliance.

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