Welcome to a New Year and a New Decade! The holidays are over and it’s time to jump into the new year. There are a series of new laws across the country that went into effect Wednesday on issues from privacy to guns and wages. **Do check on specific laws that may have changed in your state. It’s important to be in the know!
Here are some of the biggest law changes taking effect Wednesday.
Privacy: The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is now in effect—think of it as Europe’s GDPR privacy law but with better tacos! Californians will now be able to a) ask companies what personal data is being collected and b) request that it be deleted. Users can also have the option of making sure their data isn’t being sold by companies. Two more points:
- CCPA is one of the strictest privacy laws on the books in the U.S
- Most Big Tech companies CCPA could impact are based in California
Gig economy: On Monday, Uber and Postmates sued who else—California—over a contentious new law known as AB-5. The bill forces gig economy companies to treat workers as employees, not independent contractors
Overtime: The Labor Department’s new rules will make an estimated 1.3 million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay. The changes, which raise the salary threshold for non-exempt workers entitled to overtime pay, are less aggressive than an Obama-era proposal that floundered in the courts. It’s Labor’s first overtime update since 2004
Minimum wage: It keeps getting higher across the country. More than 20 states are bumping up pay for minimum wage workers this year, while Seattle’s large employers will now pay a nationwide-high of at least $16.39/hr to employees. Meanwhile, the federal minimum wage has remained parked at $7.25
Marijuana: Legal pot in Illinois.
Controversy over a ban on crocodile products in Louisiana
Cash Bail: New York eliminating cash bail for most nonviolent crimes
Red Flag Law: in Colorado was implemented allowing family members and law enforcement to request guns be seized from people who are ultimately deemed to be a threat to themselves or to others. The seizure can last up to a year, and the burden of proof is on the gun owner to have it revoked
Statewide Ban on Plastic Bags: in Oregon
Electric Vehicles: New Registration fees will be implemented in Alabama and Ohio ($200); in Kansas ($100); in Hawaii ($50); and fees will increase in Iowa, Oregon and Utah
Laws are perpetually changing. As I mentioned last week, it can be crazy to keep up with the changes within the country and for each of our states. In 2020, my focus will be to keep you up to date with national trends that impact our life planning.
If there is something specific you’d like to discuss, reach out! Happy to shed light and assist as best I can. I’m here as a second set of eyes for you.
Is 2020 the year to consider life planning, business contingency planning, taking care of your employees navigating with life and business intersect, deciphering crazy legalese, US citizens preparing to live abroad and for we adult children helping our parents / grandparents transition?
Talking about the situations in life we would prefer to avoid isn’t always easy, yet so darned valuable when the time occurs. I’ve walked the walk of life and business intersecting and know how important it is to have information when needed.
Reach out with questions via Email. Additional information is available upon request or on the website @ The Living Planner
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