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AB-578 • 2026

Food delivery platforms: customer service.

Food delivery platforms: customer service.

Taxes
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Bauer-Kahan
Last action
Official status
Chaptered
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not listed in the provided source material, even though the bill status shows it was enacted on October 6, 2025.

New Rules for Food Delivery Apps

This law sets new rules for food delivery apps about how they pay drivers, handle customer service calls, and give refunds when orders go wrong.

What This Bill Does

  • It makes it illegal to use tips or gratuities to lower the base pay given to a delivery driver.
  • It requires apps to show drivers a clear list of their total earnings, including base pay, tips, and bonuses.
  • It forces apps to let customers talk to a real person if an automated system cannot fix their problem.
  • It says apps must give full refunds for missing or wrong orders unless the customer caused the issue or there is evidence the request may be fraudulent.
  • It requires apps to charge only for food that was actually delivered and adjust fees, taxes, and tips for any items not received.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Food delivery platforms (online businesses connecting customers with restaurants)
  • Customers who order food through these apps
  • People delivering the food or beverages

Terms To Know

Gratuity
Another word for a tip given to thank someone for service.
Base pay
The main amount of money paid to the driver before any tips are added.
Natural person
A real human being, not a computer program or robot.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law does not say exactly how much time must pass before a customer can reach a real person.
  • It is unclear what specific proof an app needs to decide if a refund request may be fraudulent.
  • The text provided does not list the exact date when these new rules will start.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Chaptered

Official Summary Text

Food delivery platforms: customer service.