January 1, 2026
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New California Laws Going into Effect in 2026
Californians clash over 2026 laws: warnings, kids, AI
TLDR: California’s 2026 laws add immigration plea warnings, free lawyers for undocumented youth, foster care fixes, and safeguards against AI-made deepfakes. Commenters cheer protections for kids and families but roast the AI rules as vague labels, splitting the crowd between “finally” and “bureaucratic theater,” and why it matters for anyone facing court.
California’s 2026 court laws dropped and the comments lit up like a courtroom drama. Immigration warnings before guilty pleas (SB 281) and free lawyers for undocumented youth (AB 1261) got a big thumbs-up from “protect-the-vulnerable” folks, who say the state is finally putting guardrails on life-altering decisions. Meanwhile, skeptics rolled their eyes at anything that smells like paperwork theater, especially the AI transparency bits—cue jokes about reports stamped with “This was made with AI, probably” and nothing else. One user compared the new plea warning to a cigarette label: necessary, but you’ll ignore it under pressure.
Family and kid-focused changes sparked heartfelt threads. Incarcerated parents can attend dependency hearings, even via video (AB 651), and foster youth get transition plans (AB 896) while counties pilot domestic violence consultants (AB 779). Many clapped: “Let parents show up and let kids have a roadmap—finally.” Others worried it’s promises without funding. The deepfake porn law (AB 621) drew strong applause for protecting minors, with dark humor about the internet needing a babysitter and serious warnings about real-world harm. The CARE mental health program expansion got split reactions: some call it a lifeline; others fear more court-ordered plans without support. Over on courts.ca.gov and the newsroom, the vibe is classic California: big heart, big paperwork, big debate—and the comments are the jury.
Key Points
- •More than 500 California laws passed in 2025 will take effect in 2026, affecting courts and court users.
- •SB 281 mandates verbatim immigration advisements before guilty or no contest pleas, informing noncitizens of potential deportation risks.
- •AB 1261 provides legal counsel for immigrant youth (unaccompanied undocumented minors) in federal or related state immigration proceedings.
- •Child welfare changes include AB 779’s three-year county pilot with domestic violence consultants, AB 896’s foster youth placement transition plans, and SB 119’s mandated reporter curriculum by July 1, 2027.
- •AB 651 ensures incarcerated parents can attend dependency hearings (physically or via video/teleconference), the Family Preparedness Act broadens caregiver “relative” definitions, and AB 621 expands remedies against deepfake pornography involving minors.