Washington DC - The new year brings a series of new laws throughout the country, from less restrictions to marijuana to the prohibition of discriminating against employees for their hair. But a requirement that will be imposed later in 2020 will affect millions across the country.
After years of delay, the Department of Homeland Security finally set a deadline to comply with a law proposed by the commission that studied the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. "The federal government should set standards," said the panel, " for sources of identification, such as driver's licenses. "
As of October 1, travelers wishing to board an airplane using a driver's license for identification purposes must have one that complies with the Real Identification Act (real ID), the law based on the commission's recommendation. States must verify an applicant's records to verify their identity before issuing the new licenses, which have a star in the upper right corner and incorporate features that make it more difficult to falsify them.
"The security requirements of the Royal Identification Act will dramatically improve and improve the security of commercial aviation," said David Pekoske, head of the Transportation Security Administration.
For its part¸ New Hampshire allows a change in driver's licenses issued as of January 1. Residents can have the state mark their sex as X - instead of M or F - for people who do not identify as male or female.
Devon Chaffee, of the US Civil Liberties Union of the state, described the law as "one more step towards reducing stigmatization, promoting equality and ensuring that state identification documents are accurate and affirmative."
In addition, New York and New Jersey join 13 other states that will allow undocumented immigrants to have driver's licenses, in defiance of the Trump administration.
As of New Year's Day, it is also legal to own small amounts of marijuana in Illinois and Michigan, which raises the number of states that allow recreational use to 11. In Nevada, as of January 1, employers cannot refuse to hire someone who tests positive for marijuana use.
In the state of Washington, parents must place their children up to 2 years old in a baby seat in the back-facing car under a law that goes into effect on January 1, which makes a prior recommendation a requirement.
Children 2 to 4 years old must be in a seat with a forward-facing harness and those over 4 years old must remain in a booster seat if they are less than 4 feet 9 inches, a restriction that can include many students High school
"It gives them a little extra boost to keep the seatbelt in the right place, right over their shoulder and lap," said Kanessa Thompson, an emergency medical technician from Seattle.
In Hawaii, restaurants should offer something healthy to drink as part of the standard option for drinks that come with a child's meal, such as low-fat milk, water, or fruit juice without added sugar. Governor David Ige said the law is intended to "reduce the bad habit that some have in our community." Hawaii has faced a large increase in obesity and diabetes in the past 30 years.
As of January 1, California prohibits employers from discriminating against their workers or job seekers who have hairstyles associated with some races, such as dreadlocks or braids. The bill's sponsor, state senator Holly Mitchell, a Los Angeles Democrat, said the company’s dress codes and grooming standards have had an unfair impact on African Americans.
"For us, it is a symbol of who we are and our trust," he said. "Women trust their natural hair."
Governor Gavin Newsom said the terrible experience of New Jersey high school wrestler Andrew Johnson attracted national attention to the issue. A referee told Johnson that he should cut his dreadlocks or lose the game. A video of his hair cut while he was with his teammates went viral.
And buyers in Oregon cannot take home New Year's party supplies in single-use plastic bags. Those bags are illegal there from January 1, except to buy fish and meat or take home dry-washed clothes.