The new year will see a number of new state laws being enacted across the United States. Here are the major ones, summarised by state:
California
- California will legalize both growing and selling of marijuana, although the use of the drug is barred in vehicles, even by passengers.
- A new “sanctuary state” law will be rolled out in California under which state and local police are restricted from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also bars landlords from reporting any renter who may be in the country illegally.
- California has introduced laws requiring ammunition purchases to be made at an authorized firearms and ammo vendor in person.
- California is also replacing neighborhood polling sites with voting via mail.
- A new law requires all new public restrooms both men’s and women’s to offer diaper-changing stations.
- All buses in the state need to have seat belts.
- Californians will now not have to declare their gender while applying for a driver’s license.
- Pedestrians in California can legally cross the street even if the flashing red-hand symbol is showing provided some countdown time is left.
Illinois
- Public and charter schools in Illinois must provide starting next year “reasonable breastfeeding accommodations” for students.
- Under a new law a state agency will be creating rules for the people who wish to scatter human cremated remains within a state park.
- Starting 2018, divorce proceedings in Illinois will consider dogs and other pets as marital assets.
- A new law allows consumers to leave “Yelp-style reviews” (both positive and negative) of businesses on various Internet sites.
- People in the state can change their gender designation on birth certificates without needing to undergo gender transition.
- 4 has been declared Barack Obama Day, in order to honor the former president on his birthday.
Tennessee
- A new law bars the use of any handheld phone while driving through an “active school zone”, but hands-free devices are allowed.
- From 2018 onwards , anyone in the state who has cleared a training course in the U.S. Armed Forces for the use of small arms or other similar weapons does not need to get a state handgun permit.
- Under a new law, higher education institutions have been directed to give the students the freedom to discuss any issue that does not violate the First Amendment.
- With the introduction of a new law, barbers can now to make house calls in the state .
Oregon
- Oregon’s Department of Transportation has been authorised under a new law to issue a hardship permit to those with suspended driving privileges in order to help them commute to gambling addiction treatment.
- Oregonians will not be required to report a fender-bender starting January when the damage is below $2,500.
Minnesota
- In Minnesota, health insurance companies will start covering prescription eye drop refills before the expiration date.
- Car owners in Minnesota will be able to buy starting 2018 special license plates that honor fallen police officers.
Others
- A newly introduced New York law bars pharmacies and also retails stores having pharmacies from selling tobacco products.