SACRAMENTO — California on Tuesday enacted a series of local minimum wage increases across multiple jurisdictions while school districts implemented new statewide restrictions on student cellphone use, marking the effective date for major labor and education policy changes.
Several cities and counties raised their minimum wages effective July 1, 2026, on top of the statewide rate of $16.90 per hour that took effect in January. In Los Angeles County’s unincorporated areas, the minimum wage rose to $18.47 per hour from $17.81, according to local employment law trackers. Other localities including Alameda, Berkeley and various Southern California jurisdictions also implemented hikes, with some sectors like hospitality seeing targeted increases up to $25 per hour in specific contexts.
Separately, the state’s Phone-Free Schools Act requires every school district and charter school to adopt policies limiting or prohibiting smartphone use during the school day. Districts were required to have policies in place by July 1, with flexibility in implementation but mandatory updates every five years and provisions for exceptions.
The measures reflect ongoing efforts to address worker pay amid rising costs and concerns over classroom distractions from mobile devices. State officials have described the cellphone restrictions as aimed at improving student focus and safety.
Details on the full scope of local wage adjustments and school policy variations continue to emerge as jurisdictions finalize implementation. No immediate statewide reaction from business or education groups was available.
The story is developing.
