With the start of 2025, residents in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia are adjusting to new laws that will affect health care, consumer rights, transportation, and environmental standards.
In the District, a new law requires insurance plans to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including three rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The law also extends to medical costs for transferring embryos to surrogates, offering relief for same-sex male couples and those unable to carry pregnancies.
Families with children younger than 6 will also benefit from a new child tax credit, providing up to $420 per child based on income.
Student loan borrowers in D.C. are now protected under a “bill of rights” that prohibits deceptive practices by loan servicers and includes provisions for forgiving debt for individuals with total or permanent disabilities. Additionally, new commercial and multifamily buildings in the District must be constructed with bird-friendly materials to prevent bird collisions, which account for hundreds of avian deaths locally each year.
Businesses in D.C. are now mandated to accept cash payments, with exceptions for establishments holding alcohol licenses or those open late at night. Smash! Records owner Matthew Moffatt said the change aligns with his business practices.
“I’ve never stopped taking cash,” Moffatt said. “The big benefit of cash is that there’s no fee on top of cash. When I take a $100 bill to the bank, I still have $100.”
Drivers in D.C. are prohibited from turning right at red lights where signage indicates the restriction. However, the District Department of Transportation reported that limited funding has delayed installing signs at all intersections, constraining enforcement.
In Maryland, enhanced penalties for speeding in work zones are fully implemented.
Inspired by a 2023 crash that killed six highway workers, fines range from $60 to $1,000 depending on the speed and whether workers are present. Health insurers in Maryland are also required to cover hearing aids prescribed by licensed audiologists, with a benefit cap of $1,400 per device every three years. Hospitals statewide must stock medications for opioid overdoses, implement treatment protocols, and assist patients in transitioning to community-based care.
Virginia has launched a shared solar program enabling Appalachian Power customers to participate in solar facilities and receive bill credits. Under a law tied to the federal consumer price index, the state’s minimum wage has increased by 41 cents to $12.41 per hour. Additional protections for children’s personal data restrict vendors from using the information for advertising or geolocation without parental consent and limit the retention of such data.
Further, Virginia will no longer follow California’s stricter vehicle emissions standards, a change announced last year by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Health insurers in the state are now required to cover colorectal cancer screenings, including follow-up colonoscopies, without deductibles or cost-sharing.
I am one of the women who suffer from infertility problems and win will the bill be passed in Virginia