- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
- Click here to share on LinkedIn (Opens in a new window)
- Click to email a friend (Opens in a new window)
(CNN) - New year, new rules.
As people in the United States begin a new decade, a wave of new laws will bring big and small changes.
From car seats to natural hair, these are some of those that will take effect in 2020.
Minimum wages will rise
Good news for workers.
The minimum wage is expected to increase in 72 jurisdictions in 2020, according to the National Employment Law Project advocacy group.
Most of these changes will begin on the first day of 2020, although the New York wage increase began on December 31, 2019, the NELP reported.
21 states and 26 cities and counties, mainly in California, will increase the minimum wage on New Year's Day. In 17 of those jurisdictions, the new rate will reach or exceed US $ 15 per hour.
Four states and 23 more cities and counties will join later in the year, with 15 of them increasing wages to US $ 15 per hour or more. Illinois and St. Paul, Minnesota, will increase their minimum wages twice in 2020.
- LOOK: Silicon Valley will no longer have its fully electric fire truck
"These increases will put much-needed money into the hands of lower-wage workers, many of whom struggle with higher and higher living costs," wrote researcher and policy analyst Yannet Lathrop in a blog post about New wages
But let's not forget that the federal minimum wage has remained unchanged since 2009, at $ 7.25 per hour.
More control over your data
There is a reason why lately your inbox has received spam with privacy notices. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the strictest in the country, will be effective as of Wednesday.
The historic law allows California residents to require companies to disclose what data they have collected about them. And if users want that data deleted, companies will have to comply.
The law applies to for-profit companies that generate more than US $ 25 million in annual gross income, generate more than 50% of their annual income from the sale of personal data of customers or have personal data of more than 50,000 persons.
CCPA could set a precedent for the rest of the United States: the law has already prompted other states to consider their own privacy measures.
And while non-California residents cannot request that their data be deleted, they can read the new terms of service to see what data companies are collecting.
More people can sue for sexual abuse
As the #MeToo movement inspired more people to present their experiences of sexual abuse, some states are easing their deadlines to file lawsuits for previous crimes.
California will suspend the statute of limitations for three years beginning January 1, giving victims of all ages the opportunity to go to trial. The state is also expanding the statute of limitations for child victims of sexual abuse. Under the new law, victims will be up to 40 years or five years from the time the abuse was discovered to file civil lawsuits.
Illinois will eliminate the statute of limitations on criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, regardless of the victim's age.
That state removed the time limits for prosecuting sexual crimes against minors in 2017, but adult victims still faced a time limit. Previously, prosecutors had 10 years to file charges, but the crime must first have been reported to the police within the first three years.
States tighten and loosen firearms laws
After another year of mass shootings and heated debates over gun control, states are taking action.
Colorado is among the states that enact arms restrictions: its “red flag” law goes into effect on January 1. The law allows family members, household members and law enforcement to request a court order to temporarily take away arms from a person who is considered to be in danger of hurting himself or others.
- READ: The worrying balance of the shootings in the United States in 2019
There has already been much opposition to the law, and it is not known what will happen on Wednesday. Several counties in the state have declared themselves "sanctuaries" of the Second Amendment, while some sheriffs have previously said they would rather go to jail than enforce the law.
Meanwhile, Tennessee is moving in the other direction, making it easier for residents to receive a permit to carry a gun.
Marijuana is legal in Illinois
Weed smokers in the Midwest, rejoice.
Anyone over 21 can buy and own recreational weed in Illinois from the new year.
Under the law, Illinois residents will be able to buy and own 30 grams of cannabis, five grams of cannabis concentrate and cannbis-infused products that do not contain more than 500 milligrams of THC. People who do not live in Illinois can buy half of each of those amounts.
Medical patients can buy marijuana seeds and grow up to five plants at home, as long as they are kept out of public view. The law also forgives people with non-violent convictions for cannabis amounts of up to 30 grams.
No more cash bonds
The state of New York becomes the last to end the monetary bond system, which critics call "wealth-based imprisonment."
On Wednesday, the state eliminates the bail of money for almost all cases of minor and non-violent crimes. The new law could release thousands of people jailed for pretrial detention, according to a preliminary analysis conducted by the Center for Innovation of the Court.
But there are exceptions, including cases related to sexual crimes, domestic violence, intimidation or manipulation of witnesses and charges related to terrorism, among others.
Plastic bags are out
It is always a good idea to take reusable bags to the supermarket.
But starting in 2020, forgetting them at home could cost you.
Oregon is the most recent state to ban single-use plastic bags in grocery stores, and therefore requires buyers to bring their own bags or pay a small fee for paper bags.
The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is also preparing for a similar ecological initiative.
Single-use plastic bags, including compostable and plastic bags less than 2.25 millimeters thick, will be prohibited, according to KRQE, a CNN affiliate. The city plans to encourage residents to go green by distributing around 2,000 reusable bags in supermarkets and city facilities, the station said.
No more text messages while driving
You may think twice before sending that text message while standing at an intersection.
Beginning Wednesday, law enforcement officials in Florida will begin to fine drivers who receive text messages and drive. Fines will cost US $ 30 for infractions without movement and US $ 60 for infractions with movement. The penalties increase even more if you are accelerating.
- MORE: How to fulfill New Year's purposes
Massachusetts will enact a similar law later this year.
Beginning February 23, drivers in the state will be prohibited from sending text messages and, in general, using their phone while driving, although Bluetooth and “hands-free” modes will be allowed.
Law enforcement officers will issue warnings only during the first month or so, but after March 31, drivers will be fined.
Cyclists can cross stop signs
Cyclists have had to abide by the same traffic laws as their motorized companions, to their annoyance. In Oregon, that will change.
Gone are the days of stopping completely at each stop sign, even when there is no one closer. A new state law that goes into effect on New Year's Day allows cyclists to treat stop signs and flashing red lights as prevention. As long as they reduce the speed of their bicycles to a safe speed, they can pass without problems.
African Americans can use their natural hair
Students and black employees in California can finally feel free to be themselves.
On Wednesday, the golden state becomes the first in the United States to ban employers and school officials from discriminating against people because of their natural hair.
The Crown Law makes it illegal to enforce the dress code or grooming policies against hairstyles such as Afros, braids, twists and locks.
"This law protects the right of black Californians to choose to use their hair in its natural form, without pressure to comply with Eurocentric standards," said State Senator Holly Mitchell in early 2019. "I am very excited to see cultural change that will derive from the law. "
A high school student may need a car seat
The children will not be happy with this.
A new law in the state of Washington could keep children in high seats until they are almost in middle school.
The law requires that children who no longer have harness seats occupy elevated seats until they are at least 1.4 meters tall.
According to the Washington State Patrol, children can get rid of booster seats once they are over 13, KREM reported.
CNN Leah Asmelash, Kerry Flynn, Veronica Stracqualursi, Nicole Chavez and Faith Karimi contributed to this report.
Weapons in the United StatesPlastic bagsMarihuana recreational