New Calif. laws go into effect July 1, including huge grocery change

Key Points:

• Starting July 1, California bans "sell by" and other confusing expiration date labels on food, requiring standardized phrases "Best if Used By" for quality and "Use By" for safety, with exemptions for eggs, infant formula, and certain beverages.
• Senate Bill 79 allows multifamily housing developments near major transit stops in eight urban counties by overriding local zoning laws, aiming to address housing affordability, though some cities like Los Angeles oppose or delay implementation.
• Assembly Bill 1777 enables law enforcement to issue traffic citations to driverless vehicles such as Waymo’s robotaxis, requiring manufacturers to report violations to the DMV and equip vehicles with two-way communication for emergencies.
• The Phone-Free Schools Act mandates all California school districts to adopt policies limiting or prohibiting smartphone use on campuses, responding to concerns about negative impacts on student mental health and academic performance.
• Large chain restaurants with 20 or more locations must now disclose nine common allergens on menus or through accessible digital formats, enhancing safety for customers with food allergies.