Much of the new legislation passed in state and local legislatures this year went into effect July 1 or October 1. But several laws passed in 2021 are set to take effect in the new year, from minimum wage increases in Virginia to the end of the gas-powered leaf blower in D.C.
Minimum wage: The minimum wage in Virginia will jump from $9.50 to $11 per hour on Jan. 1, part of a longer-term push to raise the figure to $15 per hour by Jan. 2026.
Criminal records in college admissions: Starting Jan. 1, public colleges and universities in Virginia, with the exception of the Virginia Military Institute and public law schools accredited by the American Bar Association, will no longer be able to include questions about an applicant’s criminal history in their own admissions materials, and will also not be allowed to deny an applicant based on any information about their criminal history provided in third-party admissions materials. The law does still allow colleges and universities to ask about criminal history after admitting a student, and to potentially rescind the admissions decision if they decide the applicant could be a safety risk.
IBM reached a settlement with the federal government on Friday, agreeing to pay roughly $17 million to resolve allegations of illegal diversity, equity and inclusion practices. Acting Attorney Gen...