New Laws Ahead in 2026

AB 867: Ban on Cat Declawing

California will prohibit the declawing of cats for cosmetic or convenience purposes. Performing an onychectomy (declawing), tendonectomy, or any surgical claw removal on a feline is unlawful unless it is done by a licensed veterinarian solely for a “therapeutic purpose.”

The new law defines a therapeutic purpose as a necessary medical procedure for a physical condition that threatens a cat’s health. It prohibits aesthetic procedures, and owners can no longer choose declawing to prevent scratching.

Onychectomy involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe, which can result in complications such as infection and behavioral changes. The new statute bans surgical alterations while allowing non-invasive options.

Veterinarians can still use soft claw caps to prevent scratching. This aligns state regulations with those of several California cities and other countries that have already prohibited such practices.

SB 40: Capping Insulin Costs

Effective January 1, 2026, Senate Bill 40 requires large group health care plans in California to limit out-of-pocket costs for insulin to $35 per 30-day supply. This will apply to individual and small-group plans starting January 1, 2027.

The bill also prohibits insurers from requiring step therapy for insulin coverage. This legislation aims to support the approximately four million Californians with diabetes, addressing rising insulin costs, which have nearly tripled, leading many to underuse the medication due to financial strain.

Currently, uninsured individuals pay $174 to $300 per vial for newer insulin analogs.

AB 250: Sexual Assault Claims

Effective January 1, 2026, AB 250 establishes a two-year “revival window” for survivors of sexual assault to file civil lawsuits previously barred by the statute of limitations. This law targets cases involving “cover-ups” by private institutions, allowing claims against both the entity and the perpetrator until December 31, 2027.

Reporting rates for sexual assaults are low, with less than one in three cases reported and only 11% for child victims. Since 2019, many states have debated or passed similar reforms, with 21 states considering further extensions by 2025.

AB 250 represents California’s third recent revival measure. Similar windows in New York triggered over 13,000 lawsuits in just three years, while California’s previous windows exposed public entities to billions in liability. Unlike prior bills, AB 250 explicitly excludes public entities and focuses exclusively on private-sector accountability.

AB 715: Antisemitism

California is establishing an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator in the Office of Civil Rights to address bias in K-12 schools. The legislation requires the creation of educational resources to prevent antisemitism in classrooms.

Recent reports show a 52.9% increase in reported antisemitic events from 2022 to 2023, making it the second-highest reported bias motivation after anti-Black racism. Anti-Jewish bias stands as the single most prevalent form of religion-based hate, comprising 76% of all such reported crimes despite the Jewish community representing only roughly 3% of the state’s population.

SB 640: CSU Direct Admission

The California State University (CSU) Direct Admission Program aims to improve access to higher education for qualified high school students. Using data from CaliforniaColleges.edu, CSU will automatically identify eligible seniors who meet A-G coursework and GPA requirements by the end of 11th grade.

These students will receive direct admission letters from the Chancellor. The program also extends the dual-admission transfer pathway for community college students through the 2035–36 academic year.

This initiative seeks to distribute enrollment across CSU campuses more evenly. As of Fall 2024, the systemwide acceptance rate for new students was 86.5%, with 153,580 new enrollments. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) reported a much lower acceptance rate of 47.1% and enrolled 13,729 new students.

AB 268: Diwali as State Holiday

California will officially recognize Diwali, the “Festival of Lights,” as a state holiday starting in October 2026. The legislation designates the 15th day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik as the holiday.

While not all institutions must close, public schools and community colleges can do so if their governing boards agree. State employees can also receive holiday credit for Diwali, allowing them to take paid time off to celebrate.

The holiday is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains to symbolize the victory of light over darkness. A 2025 Pew survey indicates that California is home to approximately 960,000 Indian residents, which is 20% of the nation’s total Indian population. California becomes the third U.S. state to recognize Diwali officially.

SB 760: All-Gender Restrooms

Effective July 1, 2026, Senate Bill 760 requires all California public and charter schools serving grades 1 through 12 to provide at least one all-gender restroom at every site. The legislation requires these facilities to be unlocked, fully stocked, and easily accessible during school hours.

Data shows that approximately 10.3% of California’s public middle and high school students identify as LGBTQ+.

Traditional “sex-segregated” facilities often create barriers for students. Legislative analysis shows that 45% of LGBTQ+ and non-binary students avoid gender-segregated restrooms due to safety concerns, and 40% of transgender students report being denied access to facilities matching their gender identity.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact Jose Cervantes at JoseC.Press@pm.me