New State Laws Affect Riverside Renters, Shoppers, Patients

Landlords must provide refrigerators and stoves to renters, shoppers will no longer get plastic bags at checkout, and residents with diabetes will pay less for insulin under dozens of new California laws taking effect this week.

The laws, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2025, address housing, health care, consumer protection and education.

Whether you're signing a new lease, heading to the grocery store, or picking up insulin at the pharmacy, you're already noticing some changes around Riverside.

Housing: Refrigerators and Stoves Now Required

Landlords must provide working refrigerators and stoves in all new and renewed rental leases under Assembly Bill 628.

Tenants may provide their own refrigerator with written agreement, but landlords must always provide a working stove.

Plastic Bags Banned at Checkout

All plastic checkout bags are now banned at grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores and liquor stores under Senate Bill 1053.

Stores may only provide recycled paper bags for 10 cents or customers can bring reusable bags.

Beginning in 2028, recycled paper bags must contain at least 50 percent post-consumer recycled material.

Insulin Costs Capped at $35

Californians with diabetes who have large group health insurance plans will see insulin copays capped at $35 for a 30-day supply under Senate Bill 40.

The law affects approximately 3.5 million California adults with diabetes.

Individual and small group health plans will be subject to the cap starting Jan. 1, 2027.

California-branded insulin will be available through CalRx at $11 per pen.

Food Delivery Refunds Required

Food delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub must provide full refunds to customers' original payment methods when orders are not delivered, delivered incorrectly or only partially fulfilled under Assembly Bill 578.

Customers must have access to a human customer service representative if automated systems cannot resolve their concerns.

Platforms cannot use tips to offset driver base pay.

Student Immigration Rights Information

School districts must post the state Attorney General's "Know Your Educational Rights" guide in administrative offices and on websites under Assembly Bill 419.

Schools are prohibited from collecting information about students' citizenship or immigration status.

Additional Laws Affecting Riverside

Education: Student ID cards must include the Trevor Project's 24/7 crisis hotline for LGBTQ youth (AB 727).

Health Care: Amended licensing requirements apply to alternative birth centers (AB 55).

Technology: AI chatbots cannot present as licensed medical professionals (AB 489).

Workplace: The statute of limitations for workplace sexual assault cover-up claims has been temporarily lifted through Dec. 21, 2027 (AB 250).

Most of the new laws took effect Jan. 1, though some have later implementation dates. For complete information on new California laws, visit www.gov.ca.gov.