Six new state legal guidelines from rideshare driver rights to display screen deadlines : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4960x3307+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F4a%2Ff959415b4517b795bee2d8ba597e%2Fgettyimages-2237992797.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4960x3307+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F4a%2Ff959415b4517b795bee2d8ba597e%2Fgettyimages-2237992797.jpg" class="img" alt="The TikTok logo is displayed on signage outside TikTok social media app company offices in Culver City, California on September 30, 2025. A new law in Virginia is designed to limit social media use by kids under 16 to one hour a day. It faces a legal challenge." fetchpriority="high"/> The TikTok emblem is displayed on signage outdoors TikTok social media app firm workplaces in Culver Metropolis, California on September 30, 2025. A brand new legislation in Virginia is designed to restrict social media use by children underneath 16 to at least one hour a day. It faces a authorized problem. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP by way of Getty Photos disguise caption

toggle caption

Patrick T. Fallon/AFP by way of Getty Photos Right here at NPR, we prefer to ring within the new 12 months by taking a look at new state legal guidelines taking impact on Jan. 1.

This 12 months, states are enacting a slew of legal guidelines centered on wages, social media guidelines, restrictions on gender-affirming care, AI regulation and rather more.

Here's a sampling of a few of these modifications, as reported by public media journalists throughout the nation.

California rideshare drivers can unionize Below a brand new legislation, California's 800,000 rideshare drivers have the correct to unionize beginning on Jan. 1. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom brokered the deal between organized labor and main rideshare firms, together with Uber and Lyft.

The rideshare giants supported the growth of collective bargaining rights to their drivers in trade for lawmakers agreeing to slash the businesses' insurance coverage prices for underinsured drivers.

After Massachusetts voters determined to take action in 2024, California grew to become the second state to increase collective bargaining rights to rideshare drivers.

– Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

Extra paid day off in Colorado for fogeys of infants within the NICU Colorado households whose infants spend time within the NICU will be capable of take extra paid go away this 12 months. Colorado's paid household go away program already permits staff to take as much as 12 weeks off from work to take care of a brand new child, or for a severe household well being or private challenge, and obtain most of their pay throughout that point.

Now, households whose infants require time in neonatal intensive care can apply for an extra 12 weeks of paid go away. Backers say this acknowledges the additional pressure households are underneath when caring for preemies and different newborns with vital well being issues.

Democratic State Sen. Jeff Bridges was one of many important sponsors and says he was impressed by his personal private expertise. His new child was in intensive care, which he says was "terrifying and consuming."

Democrats handed the invoice, principally alongside celebration traces. Opponents say they fear about elevated prices to companies and staff who pay into this system.

Illinois additionally has a brand new NICU legislation going into impact in June, however not like Colorado, the day off isn't required to be paid.

– Bente Birkeland, Colorado Public Radio

Social media deadlines in Virginia A brand new legislation in Virginia, which faces a authorized problem, is designed to restrict social media use by these underneath 16 to at least one hour a day, except a mother or father agrees to an extended interval. NetChoice, a bunch representing social media providers, claims the legislation violates the First Modification. The legislation's writer, Democratic State Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, argues it is a "cheap try and stability free speech with the security and privateness of our kids."

In authorized filings, attorneys for NetChoice name the legislation the "newest try in an extended line of presidency efforts to limit new types of constitutionally protected expression based mostly on considerations about their potential results on minors." A preliminary injunction listening to is about for mid-January.

– Brad Kutner, WVTF

Eighteen states prohibit SNAP cash for sweet, sodas <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7092x4720+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F02%2Fff89b786438c806052385b305e98%2Fgettyimages-2189446385.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7092x4720+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F02%2Fff89b786438c806052385b305e98%2Fgettyimages-2189446385.jpg" class="img" alt="Coca-Cola soft drinks are offered for sale at a grocery store on December 11, 2024 in Chicago. Changes to SNAP programs in 2026 in some states will prevent individuals from using benefits to buy soda or other sugary drinks or foods." loading="lazy"/> Coca-Cola delicate drinks are supplied on the market at a grocery retailer on December 11, 2024 in Chicago. Adjustments to SNAP packages in 2026 in some states will stop people from utilizing advantages to purchase soda or different sugary drinks or meals. Scott Olson/Getty ImagesNorth America disguise caption

toggle caption

Scott Olson/Getty ImagesNorth America With permission from the Trump administration, 18 states will ban the acquisition of sweet, sodas, power drinks or different objects utilizing federal {dollars} meant for low-income households.

The states, which embody South Carolina, Florida, Hawaii, and Texas, obtained waivers from the U.S. Division of Agriculture in 2025 that may enable them to limit Supplemental Vitamin Help Program {dollars} for objects the states deem non-nutritious.

Citing grownup and youngster weight problems statistics, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster mentioned in December that the waiver will assist create more healthy outcomes and mentioned the purpose aligns with President Trump's push to revive SNAP to its "true goal – diet."

South Carolina will ban the acquisition of sweet, power drinks, delicate drinks, and different sweetened drinks utilizing SNAP {dollars}.

Different states have narrower limits. Texas will prohibit SNAP funds for sweetened drinks and sweet, and Virginia plans to bar SNAP {dollars} for sure "sweetened drinks." All 18 states have a goal implementation date of someday this 12 months.

Amongst different issues, critics of the waivers say they're skeptical the bans will enhance folks's well being.

– Maayan Schechter, South Carolina Public Radio

Paid go away as much as 20 weeks in Minnesota Starting this week, most Minnesota staff may have entry to paid household and medical go away advantages. The state is launching a program that permits 12 weeks of paid household go away to take care of a sick cherished one or bond with a child, in addition to 12 weeks of medical go away to get better from sickness or harm.

There is a cap of 20 weeks in a 12 months if somebody faucets each. Those that take paid go away will obtain partial pay and may have a assure that their place at work shall be there once they return. Employers are additionally barred from retaliating towards staff who take the paid day off.

This system is funded via a payroll tax cut up between employers and staff.

Some enterprise teams tried to dam the laws, saying that if staff take vital day off, it might put extra work on others.

Roughly three-quarters of Minnesota staff are anticipated to obtain extra paid go away advantages underneath this system than they'd beforehand. Minnesota shall be amongst 13 states to supply paid household and medical go away advantages.

– Dana Ferguson, Minnesota Public Radio

Illinois regulates AI, regardless of Trump's government order Beginning this 12 months, employers in Illinois are prohibited from utilizing synthetic intelligence in employment choices – from making new hires to selling or disciplining present staff – if the expertise components in demographic info, such because the particular person's race or ZIP code.

It is an modification to the state's Human Rights Act and was handed by the legislature's Democratic supermajority. Democratic State Sen. Javier Cervantes sponsored the measure. As an artist, Cervantes says he has actual considerations about how quickly AI has progressed over the previous few years.

"That is an unchecked expertise," Cervantes says. "We simply must get in entrance of it and do the perfect we will."

The brand new legislation comes on the heels of President Trump's government order directing the U.S. Division of Justice to problem states' AI legal guidelines deemed "cumbersome." Cervantes says he is fairly sure the DOJ will take the state to courtroom – because it has achieved in additional than thirty fits thus far – over the brand new legislation.