(The Center Square) — Most state laws in Virginia go into effect at the start of the fiscal year on July 1; in Maryland, it’s typically June 1 or Oct. 1; and in the District of Columbia, many bills take effect on July 1 each year.
However, for various reasons, a minority of policy changes occur on Jan. 1 each year across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia region.
Here are some that will affect “DMV” residents.
Virginia
Minimum wage. The Center Square previously wrote about how the minimum wage in the commonwealth is increasing Wednesday from an hourly rate of $12 to $12.41, per 2020 legislation tying the minimum wage to inflation.
Changes to health and car insurance. Effective Jan. 1, health insurers must provide colorectal cancer screenings and tests coverage. In addition, a “follow-up colonoscopy after a positive noninvasive stool-based screening test or direct visualization screening test shall be covered.”
By law, insurers must also cover a minimum of $60,000 in car accidents in which one person is injured or killed and $100,000 in accidents in which more than one person is injured or killed, double the minimum in 2024.
Protection of minors online. In 2024, the General Assembly passed companion bills in 2024 establishing more guardrails around the online data of children 12 and younger. Parents must provide consent for online vendors to use children’s personal data for targeted advertising or other purposes.
Maryland
Road worker protections and fines. The Maryland Road Worker Protection Act raises the maximum penalty for work zone speed limits and safety violations and attaches greater fines to more serious offenses.
Changes to health insurance. Maryland Medicaid must now provide coverage for prostheses, and health insurers are required to provide coverage for adult hearing aids – up to $1,400 per hearing aid every 36 months.
D.C.
Expanded Child Tax Credit. Qualifying low-income households can now receive income tax credits up to $420 per child for a maximum of three children.
Changes to health insurance. Insurers are now required to provide coverage for diagnosis and treatment related to infertility.
