- Several new Virginia laws take effect Jan. 1, 2026, impacting consumer protections, health care coverage, employment and digital safety for minors.
- Social media platforms must limit users under 16 to one hour daily without parental approval, and insurance companies must fully cover breast and prostate cancer screenings.
- Minimum wage increases, unemployment benefits rise, and new rules take effect for baby food safety testing and stopping unwanted telemarketing texts.
Hair-cutter training on domestic violence awareness(Maryland)
A new law, House Bill 1547 in Maryland, will require barbers and cosmetologists to complete one hour of domestic violence awareness training when applying for a license or a renewal.
The training details:
- Recognizing the signs of domestic violence
- Strategies to navigate conversations with people who may be domestic violence victims
- How to listen and communicate with victims of domestic violence
- Navigating resources and support groups for domestic violence victims
Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program, the Children’s Health Program and private insurers are prohibited from requiring prior authorization when a child needs to be transferred to a special pediatric hospital.
Under the Homecare Worker Rights Act of 2024, the Maryland Department of Health will only be allowed to reimburse residential service agencies (RSAs) for personal assistance services, like in-home care for elderly or disabled residents, when those services are provided by workers classified as employees, not independent contractors.
Beginning January 1, 2026, Maryland will require counties that operate self-insured employee health plans to provide preventive cancer screenings for professional firefighters at no cost, including no copays, deductibles or coinsurance.
Montgomery County’s “Bring Your Own Bag” law took effect, January 1, 2026, eliminating plastic carryout bags and adding a 10-cent fee on paper bags.
