law-and-policy8.59 min read
New Hampshire Implements Major Legal Changes in 2026, Including Ending Vehicle Inspections
1 month ago•Source: New Hampshire Bulletin
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Illinois Implements 400 New Laws in 2026
Illinois is implementing over 400 new laws in 2026, covering areas such as victims' rights, education, property, gun safety, and employment, with resources available to help residents understand and navigate these changes.
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Upcoming Colorado Laws: Bison Protection, Transparency, and More in 2026
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Michigan to Implement New Laws and Wage Increases Starting January 2026
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Judge Allows Sharing of Medicaid Data with ICE
A California federal judge allowed the federal government to share basic Medicaid participant information with ICE, but blocked sharing of more sensitive data, citing unclear policies and privacy concerns. The ruling permits sharing of minimal data like citizenship, location, and contact info, while safeguarding more detailed health data, amid ongoing legal disputes over immigration enforcement and data privacy.
Judge Allows Trump Admin to Share Medicaid Data with ICE
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can share Medicaid data with ICE only for certain basic personal information about unlawfully present immigrants, blocking access to sensitive health records and emphasizing the protection of health privacy laws, marking a setback for efforts to use Medicaid data for immigration enforcement.
Federal Judge Bars ICE from Arresting Immigrants at Court in Northern California
A federal judge in San Francisco has blocked ICE from making civil arrests at immigration courts in Northern California, citing concerns over the chilling effect on noncitizens' participation in removal proceedings and the potential for arbitrary detention. The ruling challenges recent policy reversals by the Biden administration and sets the stage for possible appellate and Supreme Court battles over courthouse arrests, with the decision currently limited to Northern California.
Multiple States Sue HHS Over Restrictions on Youth Gender-Affirming Care
Nineteen states and D.C. sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over a declaration that labels gender-affirming treatments for youth as unsafe, aiming to restrict access and challenge federal policies, amid ongoing legal and political battles over transgender healthcare rights.
Western U.S. States Prepare for 2026 Wage and Law Changes
Starting January 1, 2026, Washington state will implement new laws including a minimum wage increase to $17.13, updates to paid family leave, expanded child support guidelines, strengthened victims' rights, and changes in tax and property laws, reflecting legislative efforts to modernize and improve economic and social protections.
States Sue Federal Government Over Restrictions on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with 18 states and D.C., filed a lawsuit against the U.S. HHS over a declaration that seeks to restrict access to gender-affirming care for youth, arguing it unlawfully oversteps legal authority, threatens healthcare providers, and endangers transgender youth's access to necessary medical treatment.
Ohio bans THC-infused beverages after hemp and marijuana crackdown
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill regulating and taxing the state's intoxicating hemp industry, while also establishing new criminal penalties for marijuana possession and importing. The law allows legal adult use and home cultivation of marijuana but restricts hemp sales to dispensaries, with some industry opposition and potential for referendum efforts. The legislation marks a significant shift in Ohio's drug policy, balancing regulation, revenue, and criminal enforcement.
California's 2026 Laws: Banning Plastic Bags, Changing Streaming, and Regulating Chatbots
Starting in 2026, California will implement numerous new laws affecting various sectors including environmental policies like a plastic bag ban, consumer protections for food delivery, streaming ad volume regulations, and new rules for AI transparency, healthcare, pets, and housing, among others.
California's 2026 Legislation: Environmental, Workplace, and Digital Policy Changes
Starting in 2026, California will implement numerous new laws affecting various sectors including environmental policies like a plastic bag ban, consumer protections for food delivery, streaming ad volume regulations, and regulations on artificial intelligence transparency, among others, impacting residents, businesses, and technology use.
States and Education Department sue over changes to student loan forgiveness rules
Cities and unions are suing the Trump administration over a new rule that could deny loan forgiveness to public workers based on their employer's activities, with concerns it may be used to target organizations or jurisdictions with policies opposing the administration's views. The rule defines 'substantial illegal purpose' broadly, potentially affecting workers in organizations involved in lawful activities related to immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, or racial justice, and raises questions about the scope of the Department of Education's authority. Critics argue the rule contradicts Congress's original intent for PSLF and could lead to staffing crises in public service sectors.