New year, new laws: Minimum wage increases to AI rules and free college tuition
With the new year, there will be new laws in many states.
Here are the most interesting laws that will go into effect on January 1.
Arizona
Minimum wage increasing to $14.70 per hour in Arizona
Some of Arizona's lowest paid workers are about to get a raise when minimum wage increases on New Year's Day. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, minimum wage will increase by 35 cents, bringing the official state minimum wage up to $14.70 per hour. The new minimum wage is equivalent to $30,576 per year. The increase will make Arizona among the highest states in the nation when it comes to minimum wage.
California
AI in Hollywood
AB 2602 makes it illegal to use artificial intelligence to replicate an actor’s voice or likeness without permission.
AB 1836 prohibits the use of dead actors’ voices or likeness without the consent of their estate.
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Auto/cars
SB 905 eliminates the "locked door loophole," which required prosecutors to prove car doors were locked when a burglary took place. This gives prosecutors more flexibility to address auto burglary and thefts.
Crimes
AB 3209 allows retail stores to get restraining orders against people sentenced for stealing, vandalizing or assaulting an employee at that store.
AB 1779 allows California district attorneys to coordinate with other DAs to consolidate charges for suspects in retail theft crimes that occur across multiple counties.
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AB 1960 creates sentencing enhancements for taking, damaging, or destroying property while committing a felony if the property value exceeds $50,000.
Health
SB 729 requires insurance companies to cover IVF. Access will also be expanded to LGBTQ+ families.
AB 2515 bans the sale of tampons and other menstrual products that contain potentially toxic chemicals.
AB 1902 requires pharmacies to provide accessible prescription labels to people who are blind, have low vision, or are print disabled.
Florida
Online Protection for Minors
This Florida law (HB 3) will prohibit children under the age of 14 from becoming social media account holders. However, 14 and 15-year-olds can create accounts with parental consent.
"Social media harms children in a variety of ways," Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement regarding the law. "HB 3 gives parents a greater ability to protect their children."
Illinois
Pay Transparency
Starting in the new year, larger employers will be required to include information on the pay scale for any job posting. The new law, which amends the state’s Equal Pay Act, applies to an employer with 15 or more employees.
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Youth Vaping Ads
The amendment to the Preventing Youth Vaping Act prohibits a company from advertising an electronic cigarette in a way that would cause a person to mistake it for something that is not a tobacco product.
New York
Congestion pricing
Congestion pricing is scheduled to begin on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 in New York City.
Texas
Elimination of vehicle safety inspections
In 2023, the Texas legislature voted to remove mandatory vehicle safety inspections for noncommercial vehicles.
Instead, the $7.50 fee will be assessed as an "inspection program replacement fee" that is added when the vehicle is registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
New vehicles from the two most recent model years that have not been registered before will pay an initial fee of $16.75 that will cover two years.
It does not remove emissions inspections where they are required.
Washington
New college tuition guarantee for low-income students in 2026
Washington state’s new law, House Bill 2214, will guarantee free college tuition to low-income students starting in the 2025-26 academic year. The law automatically qualifies students in grades 10 through 12 who receive Basic Food or Food Assistance Program benefits for the Washington College Grant (WCG), the state’s largest financial aid program.