What New Laws Are on Tap for 2022? -

Happy 2022! We hope that you had a relaxing and reinvigorating holiday season. In the midst of our revelry, thousands of new laws went into effect across the country. Here is a roundup of some of the bigger ones.

California

The Golden State’s stringent new police licensing law went into effect. The law raises the minimum age for new officers to 21 and will require in four years that all new officers have at least an associate’s degree.

To-go drinks, a coronavirus pandemic-related emergency rule, will get a five-year extension via legislation. You must purchase your drinks with food, and there is a two-drink limit per meal.

The voter-approved Proposition 12 takes effect as well. It requires livestock to live in enclosures where they have enough space to lay down and turn around. It also bans the sale of meat where the animals were raised in conditions that don’t meet Prop. 12 standards, meaning most other states. The law could have a huge effect on animal welfare nationwide.

Texas

The Lone Star State’s divisive abortion law already took effect in late 2021. Coming into effect in 2022, however, are quite a few tax changes.

Tax assessors will be banned from including chicken coops and rabbit pens in the value of homes. Veterans classified as 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be exempted from homestead taxes. Charitable organizations that provide permanent housing to the homeless will also see significant property tax breaks.

New York

New Yorkers are inching closer to being able to buy legal marijuana in 2022. Cities had until the end of 2021 to opt-out of allowing retail or consumption sites, and any locality that failed to do so was automatically opted in.

Also starting this year, all stretch limos in the state must have enough seatbelts in the back for every passenger.

Dogs gained some additional protections this year as well. Homeowners’ insurance companies can no longer charge higher premiums to homeowners who own “dangerous” breeds of dogs.

And while regulations are still being worked on, mobile sports betting is now legal in New York. Nine sports books are expected to launch.

No Surprises Act Takes Effect Nationally

At the federal level, the “No Surprises Act,” went into effect on January 1 as well. The law, passed in 2020, bans most surprise out-of-network medical charges. This applies to people who receive emergency or scheduled treatment from doctors and facilities that are not in their health insurance network and that they did not have a choice in selecting.

For instance, if you are hurt in a car accident and taken to an out-of-network facility that you did not choose, you will not face an unexpectedly high bill. You will still be responsible for meeting your deductibles and cost-sharing, however.

These are just a few of the many laws going into effect that affect everyday people. We encourage you to learn more about what laws are going into effect in your state so you are better informed of your rights.