Hot topics like AI, abortion, and gun control dominate the new state laws that take effect in 2025. Some are due to recent legislation, others are due to voter-approved measures, and some are facing legal challenges.
New US state laws in 2025: AI, abortion, guns and more (AP Photo)
in short
US states plan to enact new laws on AI, abortion, guns, wages, and marijuana in 2025. California protects against unauthorized AI replicas and deepfakes. More than 20 states have increased their minimum wages, some by more than $16 an hour.
In 2025, new U.S. state laws will take effect that address artificial intelligence issues, abortion rights, gun control, minimum wage increases, medical marijuana legalization, and more. These laws represent significant changes in social policy, economic measures, and individual rights and will reshape the landscape across the country.
Key points of the new state law that goes into effect in 2025 include:
Artificial intelligence and social media
California: New law protects performers from unauthorized AI replicas and extends these rights to the property of deceased individuals. Parents who profit from their child influencers must secure income, and children can sue for violations.
read more
Social media restrictions:
In Florida and Tennessee, minors must have parental consent to open social media accounts. California’s new measures to combat political deepfakes face legal challenges.
School policy regarding gender identity
California: First in the nation to prohibit school districts from notifying parents if a child changes gender identity.
right to abortion
Delaware: Reflecting continued changes in state-level abortion laws, state employees and Medicaid health plans must cover abortions without cost-sharing requirements.
gun control
Minnesota: Bans firearms with repeating binary triggers. Delaware: Prohibits the use of firearms in colleges and university areas, except for law enforcement.
medical cannabis
Kentucky: Joins nearly four-fifths of U.S. states by legalizing medical marijuana for conditions such as cancer and chronic pain.
raising the minimum wage
More than 20 states plan to raise their minimum wages, with the highest rates in Washington, California and Connecticut exceeding $16 an hour. Delaware and Nebraska: While leading with big increases, 20 states still abide by the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Transport safety
Oregon: To improve safety, drug use on public transportation will be a misdemeanor. Missouri: Introduces penalties for using a cell phone while driving, ranging from fines to jail time for serious violations.
tax changes
Arizona: Eliminates city tax on rent, benefits tenants but reduces government revenue by $230 million annually. Kansas: Eliminates the 2% grocery sales tax and reduces income taxes, saving taxpayers $320 million annually. Alabama: Introduces a tax credit for businesses that help employees with child care costs.
voting rights
Oklahoma: Extends voting rights to individuals who have been released or had their sentences commuted for felonies, including reclassified crimes.
With input from AP
In 2025, new U.S. state laws will take effect that address artificial intelligence issues, abortion rights, gun control, minimum wage increases, medical marijuana legalization, and more. These laws represent significant changes in social policy, economic measures, and individual rights and will reshape the landscape across the country.
Key points of the new state law that goes into effect in 2025 include:
Artificial intelligence and social media
California: New law protects performers from unauthorized AI replicas and extends these rights to the property of deceased individuals. Parents who profit from their child influencers must secure income, and children can sue for violations.
Social media restrictions:
In Florida and Tennessee, minors must have parental consent to open social media accounts. California’s new measures to combat political deepfakes face legal challenges.
School policy regarding gender identity
California: First in the nation to prohibit school districts from notifying parents if a child changes gender identity.
right to abortion
Delaware: Reflecting continued changes in state-level abortion laws, state employees and Medicaid health plans must cover abortions without cost-sharing requirements.
gun control
Minnesota: Bans firearms with repeating binary triggers. Delaware: Prohibits the use of firearms in colleges and university areas, except for law enforcement.
medical cannabis
Kentucky: Joins nearly four-fifths of U.S. states by legalizing medical marijuana for conditions such as cancer and chronic pain.
raising the minimum wage
More than 20 states plan to raise their minimum wages, with the highest rates in Washington, California and Connecticut exceeding $16 an hour. Delaware and Nebraska: While leading with big increases, 20 states still abide by the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Transport safety
Oregon: To improve safety, drug use on public transportation will be a misdemeanor. Missouri: Introduces penalties for using a cell phone while driving, ranging from fines to jail time for serious violations.
tax changes
Arizona: Eliminates city tax on rent, benefits tenants but reduces government revenue by $230 million annually. Kansas: Eliminates the 2% grocery sales tax and reduces income taxes, saving taxpayers $320 million annually. Alabama: Introduces a tax credit for businesses that help employees with child care costs.
voting rights
Oklahoma: Extends voting rights to individuals who have been released or had their sentences commuted for felonies, including reclassified crimes.
With input from AP
