(CNN) — January 1 not only ushered in 2025 but a slew of new laws.
In 2024, states tackled issues ranging from abortion rights to gender-affirming care for minors, advancing legislation to take effect the following year. Starting Wednesday, Americans in nearly two dozen states will also see a hike in minimum wage while seniors covered by Medicare may have lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.
Here are some of the new laws that are now in effect.
Minimum wage hikes
The minimum wage has increased in 21 states, according to the National Employment Law Project.
The hikes took effect in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
With the increase, Washington continues to have the highest minimum wage of all states at $16.66, up 38 cents. Delaware will see the highest increase, from $13.25 to $15.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has moved to standardize its minimum wage. The state had set a minimum wage of $10.85 for larger employers and one of $8.85 for small employers, employees under the age of 18 and those in the US under a J-1 visa, which is for exchange visitors and can be used for foreign students to pursue academic training or research. This group will see the largest minimum-wage increase in the country – $2.28 – with the state’s new minimum wage of $11.13 for all employers.
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