Hello 2014 and new state laws!

As we say goodbye to 2013, we not only say hello to 2014, but also to some new state laws hitting the books on January 1st. Here's a few of them, thanks to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The minimum wage will be going up in several states including New York, from $7.25 to $8, in Connecticut it will be $8.70, in New Jersey $8.25.

A new law in Illinois prohibits anyone from using a drone to interfere with hunters or fisherman. Also, in Illinois, a new law toughens the penalties (to a maximum of six years in prison) for inciting violent flash mobs or a riot via Facebook, Twitter or other social media.

In Connecticut, the final set of reforms stemming from the Newtown school shootings take effect on Jan.1. They include mandatory registration of all assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines purchased prior to April 2013, and creation of a statewide registry that will track parolees whose crimes involved the use of weapons.

A new California law prohibits a parent from inheriting a child’s estate if the parent’s rights were terminated or if the parent did not acknowledge, support or attempt to maintain communication with the child. Also, California will require that financial literacy—including budgeting, managing debt and protecting against identity theft—be integrated into textbooks and courses for grades 7 through 12.

In Oregon, eligible employees may take up to two weeks of family leave to deal with the death of a family member.

On Jan. 1,  Rhode Island will become the eighth state to limit the use of criminal records during the hiring process. “Ban the box” policies—so called because of the box an applicant must check on an application if he or she has a criminal record—prohibit an employer’s inquiry into an applicant’s criminal history on the initial written application.

In Texas, mixed drinks at a restaurant will now be taxed at 8.25 percent. Previously the drinks were untaxed and restaurants were taxed instead. Now restaurants will pay a lower mixed beverage tax, from 14 percent to 6.7 percent.

In all 50 states, under provisions of the Affordable Care Act that take effect on Jan. 1, newly issued insurance policies purchased through health exchanges will begin covering patient treatments, and state laws regulating that coverage will apply to the newly insured. The beginning of the year also marks the start of expanded Medicaid coverage in the 25 states and the District of Columbia that have opted to extend benefits to adults with incomes effectively up to 138 percent of federal poverty guidelines.