In an effort to combat crime with tougher penalties, a number of new legislation have been passed, continuing the reversal of criminal justice reform that has been going on for the past few years.
The following legislation will take effect on January 1, 2025:
The implementation of new gun regulations
California enacted a number of laws that tightened gun control restrictions, one of which mandates that booklets explaining the dangers and justifications of gun ownership be given to consumers. Threats motivated by hate will also be taken into account by the state when determining whether to issue a gun violence restraining order.
On January 1, Colorado will mandate that, with few exceptions, any handgun in an unattended car must be locked in a hard-sided container out of plain sight.
In July, anyone wishing to apply for a concealed carry permit will also need to complete an eight-hour training course, according to the state.
Gun rights are being strengthened in New Hampshire. By outlawing the use of certain merchant category codes—a measure supported by the National Rifle Association and present in over a dozen other states—the state is strengthening privacy protections surrounding gun regulations.
Additionally, New Hampshire prohibits companies from requiring workers to keep their firearms in locked cars. On January 1st, such legislation will take effect.
Different states implement public safety policies as crime rates return to their pre-pandemic levels.
California enacts a bill that toughens penalties for widespread “smash-and-grab” retail theft.
The bulk of New Hampshire’s bail reform bill will take effect on January 1st, and certain criminal suspects are held longer.
The state of Washington is permitting more severe punishments for careless driving when there is a fatality.
In Illinois, a new law would expedite the juvenile criminal record clearance process, police officers will need to complete autism sensitivity training, and the Adult Redeploy Illinois Oversight Board will now need to include two participants.
A 2012 statute on criminal expungement in Missouri will be renewed, allowing an individual to request more expungements.
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Amid legal concerns, Florida is implementing a social media ban for children.
No one in Florida under the age of 14 will be permitted to have a social media account, according to a contentious bill that will take effect on January 1. Because he wanted parents to play a bigger role, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed one measure, which was replaced by this one.
Any accounts that are thought to belong to someone under the age of 14 must be deleted by social media companies. Owners of accounts will have ninety days to contest it. Anybody whose accounts are targeted who is 14 or 15 years old will have 90 days to acquire permission from a parent or guardian.
Any social media platforms that intentionally break the law face steep fines and civil penalties. However, the law’s social media provisions have already been contested on First Amendment grounds. Last month, the office of Attorney General Ashley Moody declared that until the court makes a decision on an application for a preliminary injunction, the state will not be implementing it on significant social networking sites. Late February was the date of the hearing.
In order to prohibit access by anyone under the age of 18, the law also mandates that any website that has “materials harmful to minors,” such as sexual content that is visible in Florida, include age verification. Again, noncompliant sites will be subject to heavy fines. That clause will take effect on January 1.
Tennessee has a similar statute that goes into effect on January 1.
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New laws in these states focus on pets, gym memberships, and eggs.
To make it simpler for locals to terminate their memberships, Illinois is passing legislation. People will be able to cancel their gym memberships by email or the gym’s website according to House Bill 4911, which was passed in the summer.
According to local politicians, Pennsylvania would join over 35 other states in assisting in the protection of pets in domestic abuse cases by granting judges the authority to prohibit a defendant from owning, mistreating, or injuring the victim’s pet. On January 17, 2025, the law is scheduled to take effect.
All eggs sold in Colorado must originate from a facility free of cages as of January 1. This was mandated by legislation that was passed back in 2020.
An animal welfare group threatened to propose a ballot measure if lawmakers didn’t, which is what happened when the legislature passed the measure. Additionally, Colorado egg farmers that have more than 3,000 hens are required by law to maintain a cage-free environment.
Two ballot issues that will alter the wording of the Nevada Constitution were adopted by Nevada voters. Language used to describe people with disabilities is being updated by the state.
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For example, “insane” will now read “persons with significant mental illness,” “blind” will now read “persons who are blind or visually impaired,” and “deaf and dumb” will now read “persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.” Additionally, the law eliminates any mention of slavery and forced labor as potential criminal penalties.