The DMV region will see a host of new laws on July 1.
Thousands of workers across the District of Columbia will begin earning higher wages Wednesday as a new minimum wage takes effect, placing more money in many paychecks while a package of new laws reshapes life in and around the region.
Beginning July 1, the District’s minimum wage increases from $17.95 to $18.40 an hour, according to the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services. The hourly base wage for tipped employees also increases from $10.00 to $10.30. District law requires employers to ensure that workers’ wages and tips combined equal at least $18.40 an hour, making up any difference if they fall short.
The annual increase is tied to inflation under D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Fair Shot Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2016, and employers are required to post updated minimum wage notices in their workplaces.
“Of all the measures that the administration is considering, this legislation will put more money in the pockets of our working families,” the mayor said a decade ago before the legislation was unanimously approved by the Council and signed into law on June 27, 2016.
The District’s wage increase isn’t the only in the region. Montgomery County is also raising its minimum wage for many workers.
“Federal minimum wage is still $7.25. And I think anyone with half a brain, maybe even quarter of a brain, could figure out that no one’s going to live on $7.25, at least not decently, stated Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “In Montgomery County, we have higher home prices and rents. The cost of living here is not cheap and we just have to allow people to be able to afford to live here.”
Workers employed by Montgomery County businesses with 10 or fewer employees will now earn at least $15.95 an hour, while larger employers remain subject to higher wage rates under the county’s tiered minimum wage system.
Drivers in the Old-Line State also will notice another immediate change. Maryland’s gasoline tax increases to 46.6 cents per gallon, while the diesel tax rises to 47.5 cents per gallon. Officials have said the additional revenue will support transportation projects, including road and bridge improvements.
Residents also will see changes beyond higher fuel taxes. Public school systems in Maryland must adopt bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions by the 2027-28 school year. Colleges and universities that provide student housing must begin implementing plans to offer free menstrual hygiene products at campus health centers by Aug. 1, 2028. Other new laws require schools to excuse certain absences for civic engagement activities, prohibit knowingly selling racehorses for commercial slaughter, and authorize lottery officials to withhold prize winnings from people who owe child support or certain state debts.
Across the Potomac River, Virginia is implementing one of its most significant criminal justice reforms in years by expanding its Clean Slate law.
The law automatically seals eligible misdemeanor convictions and allows individuals convicted of certain low-level felonies to petition courts to seal their records after remaining crime-free for at least 10 years. According to published figures, the change is expected to automatically seal about 100,000 misdemeanor conviction records, including offenses such as trespassing, shoplifting and marijuana distribution.
“1 out of 3 people in this country, that face barriers to creating a better life solely because they have some type of record,” said Sheena Meade, executive director of The Clean Slate Initiative. “That’s a staggering number of people who cannot get jobs, cannot gain entrance to college and universities, and cannot secure decent housing because their records appeared on a background check.”
Virginia lawmakers also approved several public safety measures taking effect July 1. Judges may now order certain repeat reckless drivers and motorists convicted of excessive speeding to install speed-limiting technology designed to prevent vehicles from exceeding designated speeds.
The commonwealth also completed its statewide phaseout of expanded polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, food containers. Beginning July 1, the prohibition applies to all remaining food vendors, regardless of business size.
Several additional Virginia laws also take effect. One law codifies the right to contraception in state law while requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for contraceptive medications and devices.
Renters gain new protections governing rent payments, processing fees and certain maintenance charges.
Further, workers receive new protections against employers who threaten to use immigration status to discourage complaints involving wage theft or minimum wage violations.
“New law alert: Everyone deserves to be paid fairly for their work,” wrote Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Starting July 1, Virginians will benefit from stronger defenses against wage theft and worker misclassification, and this office will have new authority to enforce worker protections.”
