Porn, Styrofoam, fantasy football: New DMV laws, explained
Here are some major ones to know.
The District
Economy
💸 The city's minimum wage rose from $17.50 per hour to $17.95 per hour.
👀 A scheduled hike in the tipped minimum wage from $10 to $12 under Initiative 82 is paused by an emergency order, as the law is under review by the DC Council.
If their tips fall short, businesses must pay tipped workers the difference to reach the full $17.95/hour tipped minimum wage.
Maryland
Economy
💲 A variety of higher taxes and fees on tech, cannabis sales, sports betting and more go into effect.
Education
🗣️ GED tests for adults to obtain high school diplomas are now offered in Spanish.
Health
A new grant program for abortion care seeks to improve access and clinical coverage.
📞 The state will operate a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in each jurisdiction for better coordination, versus individual crisis communication centers.
Environment
🍂 Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned in Montgomery County (fines up to $500) with some exceptions for state-run parks.
Public safety
🚨 An AI-generated " visual representation" of a person used in porn can be considered revenge porn. Victims can file civil lawsuits.
Virginia
Education
📱 School districts must create policies to ban cell phones " bell to bell."
🚫 Schools must adopt anti-cyberbullying policies, including for off-campus situations, and list resources for victims.
They also must notify parents of school-connected drug overdoses within 24 hours.
Food and drink
🍴 Food chains, including grocery stores, with 20+ locations can't use Styrofoam containers. The ban expands to all food vendors next July.
🍔 Delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash must show total prices upfront, including service fees, instead of at checkout.
🍹 Cocktails to-go are here to stay.
Health
🚭 If you're vaping under 21, officers can deem it contraband and confiscate.
🤰🏻 Virginia Medicaid will cover up to 10 doula visits — four during pregnancy and six within 12 months after birth.
Public safety
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