As 2025 approaches, a range of new legislative measures across the United States are set to take effect in January, marking significant shifts in various aspects of public policy. Among the most notable changes are those regarding artificial intelligence (AI), social media usage, abortion rights, gun control, and employment practices.
In California, legislators are putting forth new laws to regulate the burgeoning AI industry and the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors. These measures aim to protect the rights of performers by restricting the use of their likenesses without consent. Additionally, the estates of deceased performers will have the power to pursue legal action against unauthorized AI use. Another new California law mandates that parents who generate income from social media posts featuring their children must allocate a portion of these earnings for the minors’ benefit. This law also empowers children to take legal action against their parents if they fail to comply.
Across the nation, social media restrictions are also being introduced. In Florida, a new law prohibits children under 14 from maintaining social media accounts and mandates parental consent for those aged 14 and 15. The implementation of this law faces delays due to a legal challenge from two online industry associations. Similarly, a Tennessee law that requires parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts is being contested by NetChoice, an advocacy group for online businesses. In California, new measures are being contested that aim to address the spread of political deepfakes, including requirements for major social media platforms to remove misleading election-related content.
In education, California is set to enforce a groundbreaking law prohibiting school districts from requiring staff to inform parents if a child changes their gender identification. This legislation is seen as a priority by Democratic lawmakers in response to similar policies enacted in various districts across the state.
On the healthcare front, Delaware has introduced a new law mandating that state employee health plans and Medicaid cover abortions without any deductible or copayment, following a wave of abortion-related legislation enacted across several states since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Some states have further taken steps to enshrine abortion rights within their state constitutions, whilst others have rejected similar proposals.
Minnesota has passed a law banning guns equipped with binary triggers, which allow for rapid-fire capabilities. Delaware, meanwhile, has extended its gun-free zone regulations to include colleges and universities, with limited exceptions for certain authorities.
Kentucky has become the latest state to authorise the use of medical marijuana, requiring individuals to obtain written certification from a physician citing a qualifying condition in order to apply for a medical cannabis card. This initiative comes as a significant development in a landscape where nearly four-fifths of U.S. states now have some form of medical marijuana legislation.
In the realm of employment, changes to minimum wage laws will result in increases for workers in more than 20 states at the start of the year. Washington, California, and Connecticut will lead the way with rates exceeding $16 per hour. Delaware and Nebraska are notable for their substantial increases, with Delaware's minimum wage rising to $15 an hour following a $1.75 increment.
Several states are also enacting measures addressing public safety and infrastructure concerns. Oregon is designating drug use on public transit as a misdemeanour offence, reflecting growing concerns about safety among passengers and transit staff. Missouri, on the other hand, will see the introduction of penalties for using hand-held devices while driving, as law enforcement ramps up efforts to enforce this restriction.
In Arizona, tenants will benefit from a new law repealing the tax on monthly rent, a decision estimated to deprive local governments of approximately $230 million in tax revenue. Alabama will provide tax credits to businesses assisting employees with childcare expenses, and Kansas will eliminate its 2% sales tax on groceries while implementing broader tax cuts.
Finally, in Oklahoma, a transformative law will expand voting rights to individuals with felony convictions who have completed their sentences. This legislation aims to facilitate reintegration into society and promote civic engagement among previously incarcerated individuals, as articulated by former state Senator George Young.
These upcoming legislative changes across various states reflect a complex set of responses to contemporary societal issues, driven by evolving public sentiment and emerging technologies.
Source: Noah Wire Services