Six new state laws from rideshare driver rights to screen time limits : NPR

Here at NPR, we love to celebrate the New Year by looking at new state laws that take effect on January 1.

This year, states are enacting a number of laws focused on wages, social media rules, bans on gender-affirming care, AI regulation and more.

Here’s a sampling of some of those changes, as reported by public media journalists around the country.

California rideshare drivers can form union

Under a new law, California’s 800,000 rideshare drivers have the right to form a union starting Jan. 1. Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom brokered the agreement between organized labor and major rideshare companies, including Uber and Lyft.

The rideshare giants supported expanding collective bargaining rights for their drivers in exchange for lawmakers agreeing to cut the companies’ insurance costs for underinsured drivers.

California became the second state to expand collective bargaining rights for rideshare drivers, after Massachusetts voters decided to do so in 2024.

, Laura Fitzgeraldcapradio

More paid leave in Colorado for parents of babies in NICU

Colorado families whose babies spend time in the NICU will be able to take more paid leave this year. Colorado’s paid family leave program already allows workers to take up to 12 weeks off work to care for a new baby, or for a serious family health or personal issue, and receive most of their pay during that time.

Now, families whose children require time in neonatal intensive care can apply for additional 12 weeks Of paid leave. Supporters say it recognizes that families are under additional stress when caring for preemies and other newborns with significant health problems.

Democratic State Senator Jeff Bridges was one of the lead sponsors and says he was inspired by his personal experience. Her newborn baby was in intensive care, which she says was “terrible and terrifying.”

Democrats passed the bill mostly along party lines. Opponents say they are concerned about the rising costs to businesses and workers of paying into the program.

Illinois also has a new NICU law going into effect in June, but unlike Colorado, the leave is not required to be paid.

, bente birkelandColorado Public Radio

Social media deadlines in Virginia

A new law in Virginia that is facing legal challenge is designed to limit social media use by people under 16 to an hour a day, unless parents agree to a longer period. NetChoice, a group representing social media services, Claim The law violates the First Amendment. The author of the legislation, Democratic state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, logic It is “a reasonable attempt to balance freedom of expression with the safety and privacy of our children.”

In a legal filing, NetChoice’s lawyers call out The law is “the latest effort in a long series of government efforts to restrict new forms of constitutionally protected expression based on concerns about their potential effects on minors.” A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for mid-January.

, brad kuttnerwvtf

Eighteen states ban SNAP money for candy, soda

With permission from the Trump administration, 18 states will ban the purchase of candy, soda, energy drinks or other items using federal dollars for low-income families.

States, including South Carolina, Florida, Hawaii and Texas, Received exemption from US Department of Agriculture In 2025 it would allow them to restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars to items states consider non-nutritious.

Citing adult and child obesity statistics, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said in December that waivers would help create healthy outcomes and said the goal is in line with President Trump’s effort to restore SNAP to its “true purpose – nutrition.”

will be south carolina Ban the purchase of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and other sweetened beverages Using SNAP Dollars.

Other states have narrower borders. texas Would ban SNAP funds for sweetened beverages and candy, and Virginia Plans to cap SNAP dollars for certain “sweetened beverages.” All 18 states have a target implementation date for some time this year.

Among other things, critics of the exemption say they are skeptics The ban will improve people’s health.

, mayan shechterSouth Carolina Public Radio

Up to 20 weeks of paid leave in Minnesota

Starting this week, most workers in Minnesota will have access to paid family and medical leave benefits. The state is starting a program that allows 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for a sick loved one. bond with a childPlus 12 weeks of medical leave to recover from illness or injury.

If one taps both then there is a limit of 20 weeks in a year. Those who take paid leave will receive partial pay and are guaranteed that their position at work will remain the same when they return. Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against workers who take paid time off.

the program is Funded through payroll tax apportionment Between employers and employees.

Some business groups attempted to block the legislation, saying it could put more work on others if employees take significant time off.

Nearly three-quarters of Minnesota workers are expected to receive more paid leave benefits than before under the program. Minnesota will be one of 13 states to offer paid family and medical leave benefits.

, dana fergusonminnesota public radio

Despite Trump’s executive order, Illinois regulates AI

Starting this year, employers in Illinois are banned from using artificial intelligence in employment decisions — from making new hires to promoting or disciplining current employees — if the technology influences demographic information, such as the person’s race or ZIP code.

It is an amendment to the state Human Rights Act and was passed by the legislature’s Democratic majority. Democratic State Senator Javier Cervantes sponsored the measure. As an artist, Cervantes says he has real concerns about how fast AI has advanced in the last few years.

“It’s an uncontrolled technology,” Cervantes says. “We just have to face it and do our best.”

The new law follows President Trump’s executive order directing the US Justice Department to challenge states’ AI laws deemed “burdensome.” Cervantes says he’s confident the DOJ will take the state to court over the new law – as it has done in more than thirty lawsuits so far.

, Mawa IqbalWBEZ