artificial intelligence. abortion. gun. Marijuana. minimum wage.
To name a few hot topics, new laws are likely to go into effect in some state in 2025.
Many of the laws that take effect in January are the result of laws passed this year. Some result from ballot measures approved by voters. Some are facing legal problems.
Here are some of the most notable state laws in effect.
Cinematographer Jack Chaires and his son actor Wyatt Chaires, 11, participate in a strike rally by writers and actors outside the Netflix studios in Los Angeles on Friday, July 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
Hollywood stars and child influencers
California is home to Hollywood and the biggest technology companies. Taking reins from the artificial intelligence industry And set some parameters regarding your social media star. A new law would ban the unauthorized use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers and allow the estates of deceased performers to sue over unauthorized use of AI.
Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside a portion of their income for young influencers. The new law also allows children to sue their parents for neglecting their duties.
Ahead of Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri’s congressional testimony, parent activists stage an “Instagram Grinch” on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 7, 2021, to illustrate the harm children face on social media. Brought it in. (Eric Kane/AP Images for Parents Together, File)
social media limits
New social media restrictions are being challenged in court in several states.
Florida law prohibits children under 14 By having social media But enforcement has been delayed by a lawsuit brought by two groups of online companies, with a public hearing scheduled for late February.
Tennessee’s new law Parental consent is required for minors To open an account on social media. NetChoice, a trade group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires pornographic websites to verify that visitors are 18 or older. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade group for the adult entertainment industry, objected.
Several new measures in California aim to: Fighting political deepfakes It also addresses a variety of issues, including requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive election-related content and allowing individuals to sue for damages over the creation of content that uses AI. has also been raised. Fabricated images and videos in political ads.
Chino Valley Unified School District parents, students, and staff hold signs supporting LGBTQ+ policy protections at Don Antonio Lugo High School on June 15, 2023 in Chino, California. (Anjali Sharif-Paul/Via Orange County Register AP, File)
School rules regarding gender
In a first in the nation, California will begin implementing a law that prohibits school districts from adopting policies that require school officials to notify parents. Children change gender identity. The law was a top priority for Democratic lawmakers who wanted to block such policies passed in several districts.
Christian F. Nunez of the National Organization for Women as abortion rights activists and Women’s March leaders protest as part of the National Day of Walkouts in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Monday, June 24, 2024. The chairman gives a speech. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
Abortion coverage
many states have passed laws restrict or protect the right to abortion; Democratic-led Delaware is one of the newest states to do so since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to the process in 2022. That law would require health insurance plans for state employees and Medicaid plans for low-income residents. How to cover abortion without deductioncopayment or other cost-sharing requirements.
A confiscated firearm is displayed during a press conference on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
gun control
A new Minnesota law bans guns with “binary triggers” that allow for faster firing, meaning one bullet is fired when the trigger is pulled and two rounds are fired when the trigger is released. is fired.
In Delaware, the law adds universities to the list of school districts where guns are prohibited, but makes exceptions for people working in public positions, such as law officers and commissioned security guards.
medical cannabis
Kentucky is becoming the latest state to allow people to use it. Cannabis for medical purposes. To apply for a state medical marijuana card, you must provide written certification from your health care provider of a qualifying condition such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Need to get it. Almost four-fifths of US states have now legalized medical marijuana.
minimum wage
Minimum wage workers in more than 20 states are set to get raises in January. The highest minimum wages are in Washington state, California, and Connecticut, all of which will exceed $16 an hour after small increases.
The largest increases are expected in Delaware, where the minimum wage will increase from $1.75 an hour to $15 an hour, and Nebraska, where the minimum wage will increase from $1.75 an hour to $15 an hour. Ballot measures approved by voters In 2022, $1.50 will be added to the current minimum wage of $12 an hour.
Twenty other states still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
safer travel
In Oregon, drug use on public transportation is considered a misdemeanor for interfering with public transportation. Although the measure passed Congress, several transportation officials said drug use on buses and trains and at transit stops and stations is making passengers and drivers feel less safe.
In Missouri, law enforcement officials have been warning motorists for the past 16 months that cell phone use is illegal. Penalties will be introduced in the new year. The fine increases to $150 for the first violation, $500 for third and subsequent violations, and up to 15 years in prison if the driver uses a cell phone and causes an accident. But before police can charge a motorist with cellphone law violations, they need to notice major violations such as speeding or crossing lanes.
A man talks on a cell phone while driving in Los Angeles on Monday, June 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
Montana is the only state that doesn’t. Prohibition of texting while drivingaccording to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
tax reduction
Arizona tenants no longer have to pay Tax on monthly rentthanks to the repeal of the law that had allowed cities and towns to levy such taxes. The new law is a victory for renters, but an economic loss for the government. An analysis by Arizona’s bipartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimates $230 million in lost city tax revenue during the first full fiscal year of implementation.
Meanwhile, Alabama plans to offer tax credits to businesses that help employees with child care costs.
Kansas will eliminate the 2% sales tax on groceries. That’s also true reduce personal income tax This would be done by lowering the top tax rate, expanding the child care expense deduction, and exempting Social Security income from all taxes. Taxpayers are expected to save approximately $320 million annually going forward.
Board of Elections Inspector Pat Cook prepares “I Voted” stickers for voters during early voting in Oklahoma City, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
voting rights
Oklahoma’s law would extend voting rights to people who were convicted of a felony but had their sentences reduced or commuted, including commutations for crimes that were reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors. Former state Sen. George Young, an Oklahoma City Democrat, passed the bill in the Senate.
“I think it’s really important to have a system that brings people back who have gone through trials and tribulations in their lives and allows them to participate as contributing citizens,” Young said.
___
Associated Press writer Tran Nguyen in Sacramento, California; Kate Payne of Tallahassee, Florida; Jonathan Mathis lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Randall Chase of Dover, Delaware; Steve Karnowski of Minneapolis; Bruce Schreiner of Frankfort, Kentucky; Claire Rush, Portland, Oregon. Summer Valentine’s Day in Jefferson City, Missouri. Gabriel Sandoval of Phoenix. Kim Chandler of Montgomery, Alabama; John Hanna of Topeka, Kansas; Oklahoma City’s Sean Murphy also contributed.
