California, a trailblazer in various social and economic matters, is once again at the forefront of change, this time in the realm of work and regulations. From expanded worker protections to increased business transparency, a wave of new legislation is impacting industries and employees alike. This blog post delves into 5 of recent changes in California law and federals laws that impact small business owners from now into the future. New rules for contractors to have workers' compensation insurance (SB 216) California is overhauling its approach to worker safety in the construction industry. Effective July 1, 2023, most contractors, including concrete crews, HVAC technicians, asbestos abatement specialists, and tree service professionals, will be required to provide workers' compensation insurance, even if they have no employees. This requirement aims to protect workers from financial hardship if injured on the job, while also ensuring a level playing field for responsible c