January 1 is more than the start of a new year – it also marks the effective date for many new laws around the country. While all jurisdictions have different rules about when recently-enacted legislation takes effect if not specified in the law itself (see table at StateScape for an overview), January 1 is a common date for new laws to become effective.
The North Carolina General Assembly maintains annual Effective Dates compilations on its website, with the 2023-24 document available here. New legislation taking effect on January 1 in North Carolina are mostly portions of larger laws that have already taken effect, including provisions of an overhaul to the state employee retirement systems, modifications to the Alcoholic Beverage Control laws, and amendments to the juvenile justice code (passed after overriding the governor's veto).
Elsewhere around the country, the New York Times rounds up some key new legislation taking effect in the Empire State for the New Year. These include requirements for paid prenatal leave for pregnant employees, as well as the elimination of co-pays for insulin.
In California, where most new laws take effect on January 1, Fox LA rounds up some highlights. These include new prohibitions on the use of AI likenesses without permission, as well as a ban on parking cars too close to crosswalks and a new requirement for insurance companies to cover fertility treatments.
Illinois has nearly 300 new laws taking effect on New Year’s Day (see the full list). NBC Chicago describes key new legislation, including several new requirements for insurance coverage, an increase in the state minimum wage to $15 an hour, and changes to student athlete NIL compensation rules.
The Oregon legislature has codified the "right to repair," capped the co-pay on insulin to $35 under insurance plans, and permitted the installation of safety cameras on school buses to aid the apprehension of drivers who fail to stop at a school bus picking up or discharging passengers.
In Washington, D.C., drivers will no longer be permitted to turn right at a red light unless signage specifically permits it. Virginia increases its minimum wage to $12.41 an hour, while Maryland imposes new requirements on hospitals to expand capacity to treat opioid overdoses.
The Associated Press highlights some additional new 2025 laws around the country. To locate more, visit the individual state legislature website (linked from Congress.gov) and look for information on enacted legislation. For help finding state legislative info, be sure to Ask a Librarian.