Beginning on January 1, 2025, California began paying significantly higher paid family leave benefits and higher disability benefits to California families. Over 18 million workers pay into the California State Disability Insurance program, meaning the workers automatically pay into these insurance plans through their payroll contributions.
Read MoreMany U.S. employers use the H-1B Visa to obtain workers, and many employers have staffed nearly entire companies with such workers. It is a non-immigrant visa that allows employers to hire foreign workers in what is referred to as a “specialty occupation” for up to 3 years, with a maximum of 6 years. The Biden Administration took steps to “modernize” the H-1B program and the new regulation took effect on January 17, 2025.
Read MoreCalifornia has increased its minimum wage to $16.50 per hour this year, and nearly all of the cities with even higher minimum wages are in Northern California except for San Diego and West Hollywood. If you work or own a business anywhere in California, you need to be aware that minimum wage has increased across the entire state starting in January of 2025.
Read MoreLos Angeles county is trying something new to enable cooks and bakers to operate their own little restaurant by allowing them to prepare food in their own home. Starting on November 1, 2024, Los Angeles will begin a new program called the Micro-enterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO). This program will be available in all of Los Angeles County except for Pasadena, Long Beach, and Vernon because these cities have their own health departments.
Read MoreThe new California law, which was recently signed by Governor Newsom on September 22, 2024, explicitly states that the California Small Business Procurement and Contract Act is a state law that provides assistance and services for all persons regardless of their immigration status. California has now affirmatively provided eligibility to aliens. Yes, now even small businesses and micro businesses owned by illegal aliens can receive these benefits.
Read MoreA new law took effect earlier this year which aims to make no fault evictions more difficult on landlords. Many California landlords are still reeling from the pandemic-era restrictions on evictions and rent moratoriums. Well, California’s legislature has placed further restrictions on landlords. California landlords need to be aware of the new no fault eviction notice rules and the requirement for relocation assistance.
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