(CNN) Several states experienced polarizing legislative sessions last year as lawmakers dealt with high-profile legislation, some of which will go into effect this year.
States were divided along party lines on contentious issues like abortion rights and gender-affirming treatment for minors, despite the fact that some Democratic- and Republican-led states passed measures to lessen the effects of inflation as the economy continues to be a major issue for voters ahead of the 2024 election.
The state and federal laws that go into effect on January 1 are listed below.
Gender-affirming treatment
Gender-affirming care for minors was one of the hot topics in state legislatures in 2023, with many Republican-led states moving to implement restrictions.
Gender-affirming treatment spans a range of evidence-based treatments and approaches that benefit transgender and nonbinary people. The types of care vary by the age and goals of the recipient and are considered the standard of care by many mainstream medical associations.
Idaho and Louisiana are two states that moved to forbid treatments for adolescents; the bans will go into effect on Monday.
According to Idaho law, doctors or professionals who treat minors with puberty-blocking medications, gender-affirming surgeries, or other solutions could be charged with a felony and fined $5,000,000.
In Louisiana, people under the age of 18 will be prohibited from receiving gender-affirming therapies, testosterone treatments that prevent menstruation, and health care professionals who do so risk having their license revoked for a minimum of two years.
On the other hand, Maryland was one of many Democratic-led states that passed legislation ensuring gender equality for all ages. The state does mandate Medicaid coverage for such care as of Monday.
Pregnancy safeguards
While many blue states passed legislation protecting abortion rights, including two that will go into effect on Monday, some near-total restrictions in Republican-led states took effect in 2023.
With changes to insurance policy, a Washington state law aims to make abortion procedures more viable. Cost-sharing, which typically includes out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles and copays, will not be allowed for any health insurance plan that is issued or renewed beginning January 1.
However, a helmet law that will protect regional health care providers from out-of-state lawsuits if they offer contraception services to clients in states with restrictive abortion laws will go into effect in California on Monday. The protection may also apply to those who treat patients who are out-of-state in a gender-affirming manner.
Increasing the minimum wage
In 2024, almost a third of all US states will raise their minimum wage.
On January 1, the following states—Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Washington—as well as Washington, DC—will experience the increases.
Raises are scheduled for July 1 in some states, including Oregon and Nevada. The minimum wage in Florida may increase on September 30.
With the increase, Washington will maintain its position as the state with the highest minimum wage, rising from $15.74 to $16.28. Hawaii’s minimum wage will rise from $12 to $14 in the meantime, which is the largest increase.
However, Washington, DC, will maintain its position as the nation’s highest minimum wage, rising substantially from last summer when it was raised to $17. In Washington, DC, another salary increase is planned for July.
Financial aid, 401(k), and student loans
A new retirement law will allow student loan payments starting on January 1 in order to increase some workers’ 401(k)s, which may have an impact on how much people can save for retirement. Employers can match their eligible student loan payments with a factor into the employee’s employer-sponsored retirement account under the new Secure 2.0 law.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, was just updated by the Department of Education. The updated version, which is anticipated to be released on Sunday, is shorter and simpler to fill out. The form is used to determine financial aid eligibility for the 2024–2025 academic year. Additionally, it is anticipated that many low-income students may be eligible for additional financial aid.
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