A raft of new laws that have immediate — and possibly fundamental — impact on the lives of Americans went into effect Monday.
Among them was state legislation that dealt with guns, marijuana, voting rights, minimum wage and a controversial Texas law that bans diversity programming at public colleges.
The New York Times gave a rundown of the New Year’s Day changes across the country.
Gun Ownership
In California, a law that went into effect on January 1 bars the carrying of guns in most public places. It lists more than two dozen locations where the weapons can’t be carried, including libraries and sports venues.
In Minnesota, a new law gives officials the power to take firearms away from people deemed dangerous. A similar law will take effect in Michigan next month.
Washington State will require all gun buyers to have a 10-day waiting period and to have passed a safety training program, while in Illinois high-powered semiautomatic rifles have been banned.
Workplace
The minimum wage has been increased in 22 states, and in about 40 cities and counties. Many will set a minimum of $15 or more.
In Alabama, a new law effectively makes overtime pay exempt from state taxes.
In Nebraska, an executive order states that public employees who have been working remotely must return to the office Tuesday.
In Arkansas, unemployment claims will be denied to anybody failing to turn up for a scheduled job interview or doesn’t respond to a job offer.
In Illinois, a new law prohibits videoconferencing while driving.
Public Safety
In California, cops must tell motorists why they’ve been stopped before they can question them. The law is aimed at deterring officers from using traffic stops as a means to investigate drivers for other crimes.
In Pennsylvania, shackling and solitary confinement of pregnant women prisoners in banned, as is full-body searches of female inmates by male guards.
Health Care
More than 20 GOP-controlled states have brought in bans or restrictions for gender transition care.
In California, doctors who ship abortion pills or gender-affirming medication to states with laws against it will be shielded legally. In New Jersey, self-administered hormonal contraceptives will be dispensed without a prescription.
Education
Book bans in libraries are now illegal in Illinois, while in California the teaching of cursive writing becomes mandatory for first to sixth graders. Asian American history will be added to the curriculum.
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Consumer Protection
Gender-neutral children’s toy and chidcare products have to be carried by large retailers in California.
In New Jersey, telemarketers can be fined if they don’t identify themselves within 30 seconds of a call.
