(CNN) Several states experienced polarizing legislative sessions last year as lawmakers dealt with high-profile legislation, some of which went 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.
Here are a few state and federal regulations that go into effect on January 1.
Among the new laws, 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.
Transgender and gender-fluid people can benefit from a variety of evidence-based treatments and methods when it comes to gender-affirming treatment. The types of treatment vary depending on the recipient’s age and objectives, but they are regarded as the gold standard by many reputable medical organizations.
Idaho and Louisiana are two of the states that moved to enact a moratorium on such treatments for minors, and the restrictions go into effect on Monday.
According to Idaho regulation, 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.
Underage patients in Louisiana are now prohibited from receiving gender-affirming therapies, hormone treatments, and medications that block puberty. Health care professionals who perform these procedures risk having their licenses revoked for at least two centuries.
Maryland, on the other hand, was one of many Democratic-led states to pass legislation ensuring female equality for all ages. The state now mandates Medicaid coverage for such attention as of Monday.
Safeguards against pregnancy
Some blue states passed laws defending abortion rights, including two that went into effect on Monday, while some nearly total bans in Republican-led states took effect in 2023.
With changes to insurance policy, a Washington state law aims to make abortion procedures more visible. Price communicating, 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 shield regional health care providers from outside legal action if they offer abortion services to patients in states with strict abortion laws went into effect on Monday in California. The defense also applies to those who treat patients who are out-of-state and give gender-affirming care.
Increasing the minimum wage
In 2024, almost a third of all US states may raise their minimum wage.
On January 1, the increases go into effect in 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, D.C.
Raises are scheduled for July 1 in some states, including Nevada and Oregon. On September 30, the minimum wage in Florida may increase.
With the boost, 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.
The highest minimum wage in the nation will still be in Washington, D.C., at $17.05, up slightly from last summer when it was increased to $17. In Washington, D.C., another salary increase is planned for July.
Student loans, 401(k), and financial aid
A new retirement law that goes into effect on January 1 allows student loan payments to increase some workers’ 401(k)s, which may have an impact on how much money they can save for retirement. Employers can match their eligible student loan payments with a contribution to the employee’s employer-sponsored retirement account under the new law, Secure 2.0.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, was just updated by the Department of Education. The updated version, which was 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 loans may be qualified for additional financial aid.