Trending State Laws for 2025
Out with the old, in with the new. Well, it's more of the latter as we step into 2025. Each state has new laws that went into effect on January 1st, 2025, or are due to begin at some point this year. Certain topics were hot-button issues that caused changes in several states. Let's look at some of the concerns that drew the most legal attention.
Minimum Wage
There might come a time when state minimum wages aren't part of the discussion to start the year, but it won't be 2025. Twenty-one states have either changed or committed to changing their minimum wage rate on January 1st, 2025. The following includes those states and either their new per-hour minimum wage rate or the current per-hour rate (adjustment hasn't been determined or announced yet):
- Alaska: $11.91 (a second increase takes place on July 1)
- Arizona: $14.70
- California: $16.50
- Colorado: $14.81 (proposed)
- Connecticut: $16.35
- Delaware: $15
- Illinois: $15
- Maine: $14.65
- Michigan: $10.56 on Jan. 1, $12.48 on Feb. 21
- Minnesota: $11.13
- Missouri: $13.75
- Montana: $10.55
- Nebraska: $13.50
- New Jersey: $15.49 for employers with six or more employees/$14.53 for employers with fewer than six employees and for seasonal employers
- New York: $16.50 for New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County; $15.50 per hour for the rest of the state
- Ohio: $10.70 for employers with annual gross receipts of more than $394,000 per year
- Rhode Island: $15
- South Dakota: $11.50
- Vermont: $14.01
- Virginia: $12.41
- Washington: $16.66
Florida's minimum wage will increase to $14 on Sept. 15th. It increased to $15 in 2026. Washington, D.C., and Oregon assess cost-of-living increases in July. 20 states still use the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25. Executive Order 14026 caused the rate for federal contractors to rise to $17.25 per hour on January 1st, 2025.
Abortion Rights
It probably comes as little surprise that the ongoing debate over abortion rights in the post-Roe world caused several legal changes as the new year was rung in. Maryland and Arizona made abortion a right covered by their state constitutions. A new Colorado law requires private insurance companies to cover the total cost of abortion care. Abortions for state employees and lower-income individuals on Medicaid are available in Delaware.
The debate over abortion rights is still taking place in courtrooms across the country, as well. Opponents of abortion have pending cases attempting to limit access or ban the procedure. This includes trying to invalidate the FDA's ruling on mifepristone, part of a two-pill chemical abortion method.
Social Media and Data Privacy
Multiple reports, including this one from the CDC, indicate that social media has a profound and dangerous effect on the nation's children. Florida and Tennessee had laws addressing this issue triggered on January 1st, although both now face their own legal challenges. Florida banned social media accounts for children under the age of 14. Tennesee's required parental consent for all minors.
Four states — Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, and New Hampshire — had data privacy or data protection policies kick in with the new year. Four other states — New Jersey, Maryland, Tennessee, and Minnesota — will join them by October 1st. Given the ever-expanding occurrences of cybercrimes, other states seem likely to follow suit. A Texas data privacy law passed in July of 2024 had additional provisions kick in on January 1st.
Marijuana Legalization
Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of changes in marijuana laws is the scarcity of them. While Kentucky joined the ranks of states permitting legal medical marijuana use on January 1st, voter referendums in November failed to increase other legalization bids. This includes Florida, despite 57% of voters approving the recreational use of cannabis.
There was also no change in the federal stance on marijuana, which remains a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substance Act. Congress is expected to address the "hemp loophole" in the Farm Act, but nothing changed on January 1st.
A Constant State of Change
While these topics affected laws in several states, each state had new legislation take effect. Keeping abreast of the changes is a good idea, as ignorance is not often an effective defense. In any case, may your 2025 be safe and enjoyable.
Related Resources
- State Legislation and Administrative Law (FindLaw's Law Library)
- State Laws (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
- Tips for Ringing in the New Year (Findlaw Instagram)
