Did you know that in 2024 various state laws will come into effect on matters ranging from wages, taxes, immigration, criminal records, sex trafficking or LGBTQ+ issues? If you live in the United States, it is very important to stay up to date with these new laws in the USA in various areas and know how to defend your rights and fulfill your duties as an active member of society.
State laws in force this year 2024
We are facing regulations of various kinds that have come or will come into full force in several regions of the United States starting this year. Below we will let you know which states are, as well as the scope of the new laws in the USA:
California
Coming into effect this year in 2024, we find regulations that affect various issues such as housing, traffic, vehicle ownership and health.
Meanwhile, for the protection of children, the Bipartisan SB law stands out. Which increases the state penalty for crimes of child sex trafficking. Since the enactment of this law, trafficking in minors is considered a serious crime that carries more severe punishments.
Connecticut
Specifically, we are referring to the Clean Slate law. Which in its local version was launched on January 1.
Under this legislation, misdemeanor records will be eligible to be automatically expunged if the person has gone at least 7 years without incurring legal problems involving any type of conviction. In the case of crimes classified as serious, they may be erased after 10 years.
Criminal records resulting from cannabis consumption in adults will also be eliminated.
Highlighting exceptions of applicability in violent crimes or sexual crimes.
Florida
Effective as of January 1, 2024, the new regulations define parameters of single application throughout the state. Such as, for example, in the case of certain crimes denying bail, before the accused’s first appearance in court. While local courts will only be able to determine bail with prior approval from the Florida Supreme Court.
While the state’s political actors must comply with the provisions of the SB774 law, which requires them to reveal their sources of income, their net worth and their annual federal tax returns.
Illinois
Effective as of January 1, 2024, the so-called Public Law 103-0118 allows legal actions to be initiated against those who intentionally provide alcohol to minors under 18 years of age.
Regarding education, on the same date Public Law 103-0100 came into effect. Which absolutely establishes the impossibility of prohibiting books in libraries that receive funding from taxpayers.
NY
It also adds to the application of the Clean Slate Law that. Although it comes into force one year after the signature on November 16, 2023, the courts will have up to three years to implement it.
Through this regulation, as long as the offender does not commit another crime, he may benefit from having his criminal record cleared after three years for those who have committed minor crimes and eight years in cases of serious crimes.
Indicating that it is not applicable to records that involve criminal convictions for sexual crimes, murder, terrorism or domestic violence and other crimes classified as serious.
Pennsylvania
The changes in the laws starting in 2024 are aimed at reforming the probation system. Classifying it as a serious crime and increasing penalties for so-called porch pirates and strong penalties in cases of retail theft.
In this way, during the first half of 2024, the courts must impose probation measures that guide the accused to lead a life in accordance with the law. On the other hand, since March, anyone who commits theft of packages located on the porches of buildings will be prosecuted as having committed a serious crime of mail theft.
Given that the state ranks ninth in crimes in the retail sector, the prosecutor’s office takes action on the matter and adds a division against theft from businesses in this sector. With more severe penalties for offenders.
Texas
In 2024, several reforms and legislations come into force in areas such as social benefits, education, taxes or public services.
But given its implications and generated controversies. We will specifically focus on the SB4 law that involves the immigration issue and that comes into effect in the month of March of this year.
Promulgated by Governor Gregg Abbott, it classifies as a state crime entering North American territory without documents that guarantee legal permanence in the country. Consequently, it empowers Department of Public Safety agents and sheriff’s deputies to make arrests of migrants who cross the border irregularly.
However, the SB4 law faces various obstacles in court, such as the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. Who argues that immigration laws are an exclusive federal responsibility and therefore the states of the American Union do not have the power to it.
Other new laws that came into effect on January 1, 2024
Regarding the new laws in the USA or modifications to some existing ones, which came into effect on the first day of 2024, the following indicators stand out:
Federal minimum wage
It is set at $7.50 p/hour. However, thirty states already have salaries above this figure. And among them twenty establish, at the beginning of the year, automatic increases adjusted to inflation and the cost of living.
LGBTQ+
Among the laws that came into force in the United States as of January 1, 2024, the states of West Virginia, Idaho and Louisiana establish a prohibition on minors’ access to hormone therapy, puberty blockers. And surgeries that involve some change in gender.
Although in West Virginia it is allowed with two conditions: parental consent and that the minor presents a medical diagnosis of severe gender dysphoria.
Simultaneously, laws are introduced in Hawaii that will allow new marriage certificates to be issued between members who changed their gender identity. In Colorado, gender specification disappears in public bathrooms in government buildings.
Online activities
In Connecticut, dating site operators must establish anti-harassment policies. Meanwhile in North Carolina, adult content providers will be required to verify the age of their users. In Illinois victims of deepfake content on adult pages will be able to sue.
Gun control
3D printed or home-assembled firearms that do not have a serial number are prohibited in Colorado. In Minnesota, weapons are temporarily taken away from individuals considered to be imminent threats.
Taxes
Kansas will lower the tax on grocery sales from 4% to 2%, Missouri makes reductions in the income tax rate, expands exemptions and companies that hire interns will be able to apply for tax credits.
Connecticut, in addition to lowering the tax rate, expands tax exemptions for retirees and low-income workers and Alabama will exempt overtime Compensation from State Income Tax.