Laws change in the DC area: The D.C. region will see changes to laws on January 1, 2024, that will impact pay rates, store policy about plastic bag distribution, and insurance coverage of infertility treatments.
Here are a few updates from Laws change in the DC area
Laws change in the DC area:
Washington, D.C.
Increased coverage for infertility health insurance: A D.C. law passed in the fall of 2023 intends to assist individuals attempting to conceive. Effective January 1, individuals covered by Medicaid and DC Healthcare Alliance may get coverage for an infertility diagnosis and up to three cycles of ovulation-inducing medication.
Those who obtain insurance through DC Health Link or through D.C. businesses will also be eligible in 2025. Diagnoses, three IVF cycles, and, if necessary, an embryo transfer to a surrogate are all included in their benefits package.
Christina Henderson, a council member from Washington, D.C., cosponsored the Expanding Access to Fertility Treatment Amendment Act.
“Since infertility is a medical condition, your insurance should pay for you to receive treatment,” the speaker stated.
New California laws for 2024: Workers are entitled to more paid sick days
Maryland
Maryland raises the minimum wage to $15: making it the sixth state in the US to do so. As of January 1, the minimum wage for all employees, regardless of the size of the business, is $15 per hour. For certain workers, if their company employed fewer than fifteen people, it was as low as $12.80.
Workers in Montgomery County won’t be as negatively impacted because, as News4 reported, the county raised wages before the state did.
Marc Elrich, the county executive, stated that he intends to propose raising the pay even more, into the mid $20s, in 2024.
He stated, “I really believe that people realize that the amount of money we spend on social programs would significantly drop if you really had a proper minimum wage.”
Will Jawando, a county council member who advocated for pay increases, stated, “It’s a lifeline for over 150,000 families in the state.” Increasing the minimum wage is a matter of justice, decency, and creating an inclusive economy.
Plastic bags: Some jurisdictions are modifying their regulations regarding plastic bags.
- Prince George’s County: The county “must charge at least 10 cents for each paper carryout or reusable bag provided to a customer and, with certain exceptions, prohibits all retail establishments from providing plastic carryout bags to shoppers.”
- Retail companies will no longer be allowed to supply single-use plastic bags at the point of sale, according to city officials in Frederick. It is recommended that customers bring their own reusable carryout bags or boxes when they go shopping (certain exclusions do apply).
- Companies may also provide their patrons with reusable carryout bags.
- Retailers “will no longer be able to provide plastic bags to customers for their purchases at checkout,” according to Anne Arundel County officials. Customers can purchase reusable bags or paper bags from retailers at the register.
- The City of Annapolis is exempt from this law, which only applies to bags given at the register.
Banning Semi-automatic Weapons: New Laws To Take Effect in Illinois
Virginia
Pay raises for teachers in Virginia: As part of the 2023 revisions to Virginia’s Biennium Budget, public school teachers and staff in positions funded by the Standards of Quality (SOQ) would receive a 2% raise.
Military retirees’ tax exemptions: The age limitations for obtaining tax-exempt status have been removed. Regardless of age, all retired military personnel are now immune from state taxes.
Counselor licensing: By signing the Counseling Compact, Virginia makes it possible for qualified professional counselors who have a license from one Compact member state to work in other member states.
If a physician recommends hearing aids, health insurance companies are required to cover the cost for infants, children, and teenagers up to the age of eighteen. Each damaged ear receives up to $1,500 worth of hearing aids per year.
Healthcare providers going out of network: Health insurance companies now have to notify policyholders if a healthcare provider they see is going out of network. Also under the new law, HB2354, patients can continue receiving treatment if their provider is removed from the network for a fixed period.
Oversight of the medicinal marijuana program: The Board of Pharmacy will relinquish control of the state’s medical cannabis program to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA).
Jeremy Preiss, the acting chief executive officer of the CCA, stated in a release that the organization is “committed to the well-being of medical cannabis patients, and our goal is to ensure they experience minimal disruption during this transition.”
Arlington impermeable surfaces tax: This county legislation seeks to provide funding for a stormwater management initiative. Stormwater utility fees will now be included in homeowners’ real estate taxes. The charge is taking the place of the sanitary district tax from 2008.
According to the county, the new tax is more appropriately correlated with stormwater flow because it is based on the quantity of hard surfaces, or impervious areas, on a property. The computation will be $0.017 for every $100 of assessed value. Beginning in May, homeowners’ real estate bills will include the extra cost.
