California family safety & shopping laws

Enacted California Shopping Jul 2026

California Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707)

Enacted 2024; producer registration required by July 2026, full program by ~2030

The first US law making clothing brands financially responsible for what happens to their products after use. Apparel producers selling into California must fund a statewide reuse, repair, and recycling program instead of letting fast-fashion castoffs go to landfill.

What it means at your kitchen tableOver time it raises the true cost of disposable fast fashion and will give families free drop-off options for worn-out clothes; brands that ignore it will be barred from selling in California.

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Enacted California Families Oct 2025

California Companion Chatbot Safeguards Act (SB 243)

Signed October 2025; in effect since January 2026, some provisions phase in through 2027

The nation's first law regulating AI companion chatbots. Chatbots must clearly remind minors they're talking to an AI, must not expose them to sexual content, and must detect signs of self-harm and point kids to crisis help — with a private right to sue violators.

What it means at your kitchen tableIf your child confides in an AI friend, that AI now has legal duties in California — to be honest about what it is, keep things age-appropriate, and respond safely if your kid is struggling.

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Enacted California Shopping Jul 2025

California Click-to-Cancel Law (AB 2863)

In effect since July 2025

Subscriptions must be as easy to cancel as they were to start: same-method cancellation, a click-to-cancel button online, clear disclosure before free trials convert to paid, and reminders before annual renewals.

What it means at your kitchen tableWith the federal rule vacated, this is the strongest active subscription-trap protection in the country — and it effectively covers most national streaming and app services families use.

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Chaptered text of California Senate Bill 976, Chapter 321, approved by the Governor

California Legislative Information

Enacted California Families Sep 2024

Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976)

Signed Sept 2024; core addictive-feed provisions upheld and enforceable, compliance rules issued May 2026

Stops platforms from serving algorithm-driven addictive feeds to minors without a parent's consent — kids get chronological feeds instead — and blocks notifications to minors overnight and during school hours by default.

What it means at your kitchen tableThe infinite, personalized scroll that keeps kids up at midnight is switched off by default for California minors, and you decide whether to turn it back on.

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Enacted California Shopping Jul 2024

California Honest Pricing Law (SB 478)

In effect since July 2024

Businesses selling to Californians cannot advertise a price that excludes mandatory fees — the advertised price must be the real price, except taxes and shipping. It covers hotels, ticketing, rentals, delivery apps, and most online purchases.

What it means at your kitchen tableCalifornia families see all-in prices across nearly every purchase — and because sellers rarely build California-only checkouts, many national sites adopted honest pricing for everyone.

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Digital safety and shopping laws in California

California Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707)

California Companion Chatbot Safeguards Act (SB 243)

California Click-to-Cancel Law (AB 2863)

Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976)

California Honest Pricing Law (SB 478)

Protection you don't have to wait for