News
A Guide to Legal Protections Amidst Anti-Trans Executive Orders
This fact sheet outlines various state laws that protect against discrimination in areas like healthcare, education, employment, housing, and more. The fact sheet offers advice on how individuals can protect themselves and take action if they face discrimination.
Tenant Background Checks and Your Rights
Are you looking for a new place to live or about to renew your lease? If so, you may want to know that a landlord, property manager, or other housing provider may ask a tenant background check company — also called a tenant screening company — to put together a report about you and other members of your household. That’s called a tenant background check, resident screening report, or tenant screening report. Landlords often use these reports to decide whether to rent to you. This article includes information about tenant background checks and your rights related to them.
Financial Literacy Resource Webinar - Consumer Protection and Scams!
This webinar discusses strategies for financial literacy and resources available to California consumers.
Minimum Wage Increase
Effective January 1, 2025, the minimum wage is $16.50 per hour for all employers, not otherwise covered by a higher minimum wage specific to an industry or a locality.
New Changes in Workplace Rights for Parents and Caregivers
More parents and caregivers can take job-protected leave from work. Job-protected leave is available to care for a more inclusive list of family members. Workers in San Francisco can get changes to their work to help with childcare and family caregiving. Workers can take leave to mourn a family member. Workers will be able to receive 90% of their regular pay when they are disabled from working, bonding with a new child, or caring for a seriously ill family member.
NEW LAW in January: Up to 90% wage replacement for paid family leave for low-income workers, up to 70% for other workers!
The bill increases leave payments to 90% of paychecks for lower-income workers in 2025, so more of them can afford time off for maternity leave or to care for ill family members.
NEW LAW in January: 10 days for tenants to file responses in eviction cases
Tenant advocates say giving renters 10 days to respond to eviction notices, up from 5, will help those who live in rural areas and have trouble finding legal help.
NEW LAW in January: Most medical debt should not be reported on credit reports!
About 4 in 10 Californians are believed to be carrying medical debt, which can harm their chances of landing a mortgage or an apartment if it shows up on credit reports.
Eviction Response Tool
This webpage walks you through preparing an Answer in your eviction case. To file, go to your court as soon as possible. This website is a free public tool that will help you fill out the Answer paperwork. It will also submit your Answer to the court if you are low-income and qualify for a court “fee waiver.” Seek the advice of an attorney as soon as possible!
Know Your Rights as a California Tenant: Evictions
As a tenant, knowing your rights is critical. You may be protected from certain types of evictions, and you may be able to prevent an eviction by fixing the issue identified in an eviction notice. Act quickly—do not ignore notices or court papers, and seek legal help as soon as possible. Evictions can move fast, and you could lose a court case automatically if you take too long to act. Seek advice from an attorney to find out how these rights apply in your situation!
What is the California Earned Income Tax Credit?
CalEITC is a cash back tax credit for working families and individuals.
California Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in California, effective January 1, 2024, is $16.00/hour for all employers. Fast Food Restaurant employers, effective April 1, 2024, and Healthcare Facility employers, effective June 1, 2024, will have a higher minimum wage. Some cities have higher minimum wages.
California Paid Sick Leave Update
There are new requirements for employees to have paid sick leave.
Debt Settlement Traps!
This .pdf resource shares what to know before you hire a debt settlement company.
Child Custody Basics
This webpage has basic information about California laws around child custody, what the courts are looking for in your documents, what the process looks like, and enforcing your orders. Start here!