Rideshare union rights, social media limits and other state laws taking effect Jan. 1

[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 brand is displayed on signage exterior TikTok social media app firm places of work in Culver Metropolis, California on September 30, 2025. A brand new legislation in Virginia is designed to restrict social media use by youngsters beneath 16 to 1 hour a day. It faces a authorized problem. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP by way of Getty Photos conceal 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 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 adjustments, as reported by public media journalists throughout the nation.

California rideshare drivers can unionize Beneath a brand new legislation, California's 800,000 rideshare drivers have the proper to unionize beginning on Jan. 1. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom brokered the deal between organized labor and main rideshare corporations, 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 turned the second state to increase collective bargaining rights to rideshare drivers.

– Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

Extra paid time without work in Colorado for fogeys of infants within the NICU Colorado households whose infants spend time within the NICU will be capable to take extra paid depart this 12 months. Colorado's paid household depart program already permits staff to take as much as 12 weeks off from work to look after a brand new child, or for a severe household well being or private subject, 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 depart. Backers say this acknowledges the additional pressure households are beneath when caring for preemies and different newborns with vital well being issues.

Democratic State Sen. Jeff Bridges was one of many most 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, largely alongside get together strains. 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 time without work 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 beneath 16 to 1 hour a day, until a mother or father agrees to an extended interval. NetChoice, a gaggle representing social media providers, claims the legislation violates the First Modification. The legislation's creator, Democratic State Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, argues it is a "affordable try to stability free speech with the protection and privateness of our youngsters."

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 primarily based on considerations about their potential results on minors." A preliminary injunction listening to is ready 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 comfortable drinks are supplied on the market at a grocery retailer on December 11, 2024 in Chicago. Adjustments to SNAP applications 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 conceal 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 embrace South Carolina, Florida, Hawaii, and Texas, acquired waivers from the U.S. Division of Agriculture in 2025 that can permit them to limit Supplemental Vitamin Help Program {dollars} for objects the states deem non-nutritious.

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

South Carolina will ban the acquisition of sweet, power drinks, comfortable 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 individuals's well being.

– Maayan Schechter, South Carolina Public Radio

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

There is a cap of 20 weeks in a 12 months if somebody faucets each. Those that take paid depart 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 time without work.

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

Some enterprise teams tried to dam the laws, saying that if workers take vital time without work, it might put extra work on others.

Roughly three-quarters of Minnesota staff are anticipated to obtain extra paid depart advantages beneath this system than that they had beforehand. Minnesota shall be amongst 13 states to supply paid household and medical depart 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 workers – 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 need to get in entrance of it and do the most effective we are able to."

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 up to now – over the brand new legislation.