Summary
In 2026, several new state laws will take effect across the United States that address wages, employment rights, housing standards, and consumer data protection. These laws will impact areas such as pay, privacy, housing, and technology, as states take on a larger role in setting regulations due to limited federal action.
Key Facts
- California will increase the minimum wage to $16.90 per hour and require additional disclosures for private equity investors in healthcare.
- New York will introduce delivery worker protections and adjust paid sick leave requirements.
- Florida will require pet insurance providers to explain claim decisions and create an animal cruelty offenders registry.
- Illinois will mandate job-protected neonatal intensive care unit leave and pay for nursing employees during pumping breaks.
- Minnesota will standardize sick-and-safe-time ordinances with a statewide law on earned sick and safe time.
- Indiana's new law will give consumers rights over their data, such as accessing, correcting, and deleting it.
