Virginia
New laws going into effect across DC, Maryland and Virginia on Jan. 1, 2025 – WTOP News
D.C., Maryland and Virginia can expect new laws to take effect starting Jan. 1, 2025. Here’s a few you should know about.
The new year is right around the corner, and so are some new laws for our region. Here’s what you can expect to take effect in D.C., Maryland and Virginia starting on Jan. 1, 2025.
DC laws
Banning right turns at red lights
D.C. drivers will no longer be allowed to turn right at a red light, unless the District Department of Transportation has installed a sign permitting it under certain circumstances.
This comes as a provision of the Safer Streets Amendment Act of 2022. DDOT will have to post on its website which intersections will allow right turns at red lights. Additionally, the rationale behind choosing said intersection and the date the sign will be posted.
Cash payments
D.C. retailers must accept cash payments. The law prohibits businesses from refusing cash payments, from putting signs up denying cash payments and from charging a customer more for using cash. Exceptions include if the customer is shopping online, if the business sells liquor, or if it’s open late at night.
Health care coverage for home visiting programs
Home visiting services will be required to be covered or reimbursed through health care coverage like Medicaid, the DC HealthCare Alliance and the Immigrant Children’s Program, as long as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approves it. The services must be through an eligible home visiting program.
Home visiting programs are services provided to young children and parents by the DC Department of Health, such as providing in-home parenting education and home visitation for pregnant or postpartum people.
Health care data transparency
A utilization review entity, which provides authorization reviews for health insurance, has to make information regarding approvals, adverse determinations and appeals readily and publicly available on its website.
For access to all of D.C.’s new laws in effect on Jan. 1, 2025, click here.
Maryland laws
Maryland work zone fines
Speed cameras will be placed and fines will increase in work zones through an expansion of the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act. Fines for speeding in work zones range from $60 to $500, depending on how fast the driver is going. Those fines will double if there are workers present.
The bill is due to recommendations from the Governor’s Work Zone Safety Work Group, a group created after a speeding incident in March 2023. On I-695 near Woodlawn, six construction workers were struck and killed in a work zone by a driver going over 100 mph.
Housing expansion and affordability
This requires jurisdictions to permit the placement of “a new manufactured home or modular dwelling” in areas that are meant for single-family homes, given said area meets multiple requirements. It also requires jurisdictions to increase uses in certain zoning areas for “qualified projects.”
The goal of this law, signed by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore earlier this year, is to make housing more affordable by making construction more accessible.
Opioid overdose and opioid-related hospital treatment
Every Maryland hospital must have the capability of treating a person who shows opioid-related symptoms or overdose in the emergency room, have the proper treatments for opioid-use disorder and must have appropriate intervention policies before releasing a person who was admitted for opioid-related illness.
Hearing aids for adults
Health insurers, nonprofit health service plans and health maintenance organizations must provide coverage for adult hearing aids. There may be a limit of $1,400 per hearing aid for every 36 months. The hearing impaired adult may choose a more expensive hearing aid and pay the difference.
For access to all of Maryland’s new laws in effect on Jan. 1, 2025, click here.
Virginia laws
Minimum wage increase
Virginia’s minimum wage will increase from $12.00 per hour to $12.41 per hour. The law requires all employers under the Virginia Minimum Wage Act to adjust their pay accordingly.
Ethnic origin discrimination
Ethnic origin is now a protected class as an addition of the Virginia Human Rights Act. This expansion prohibits any discrimination or harassment in the workplace or in public in the Commonwealth.
Data controllers transparency
Data controllers are required to restrict the collection of data to only what is necessary as it pertains to the context of the data collected. It requires that controllers do not use personal data outside of the scope of what is “reasonably necessary,” as it is disclosed to the consumer, unless direct consent is given otherwise.
It also requires that controllers do not process certain data of a known child for targeted ads, selling personal data or gathering information about a precise geolocation, unless it is considered “reasonably necessary” or parental consent is given.
Coverage for colorectal cancer screening
Health insurers are required to provide coverage for colorectal cancer examinations and testing. This law requires that following a noninvasive screening test, a follow up colonoscopy must be covered — meaning it’s exempt from deductibles and other costs of service.
Procedure for preelection withdrawal resulting in an unopposed race
If a person running for an elected position chooses to drop out 44 days or less before the primary election, which results in one person in the race running unopposed, the unopposed candidate will immediately become the nominee for the political party, and the primary election will be canceled.
For access to all of Virginia’s new laws in effect on Jan. 1, 2025, click here.
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CULPEPER COUNTY, Va. (7News) — A rabid cat, bat, raccoons and skunks have been confirmed across four Virginia counties, according to the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District.
The rabid animals were found during the first quarter of 2026 in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison and Orange counties.
RELATED | Person exposed to rabid cat in Chantilly
They included one bat and one skunk in Culpeper, three raccoons and one skunk in Fauquier, one skunk in Madison and one cat and one skunk in Orange. Officials said no human exposures have been reported.
The health district said rabies is commonly found in Virginia wildlife, particularly raccoons, skunks and bats. Statewide, 117 animals tested positive for rabies during the first quarter of the year.
SEE ALSO | Flying bats reported near crowd at Maryland fireworks show, officials warn of health risk
Health officials are urging people to stay away from wild animals and unfamiliar pets, make sure dogs and cats are up to date on their rabies vaccinations and report animals acting strangely to local animal control.
(VIRGINIA MERCURY) – Virginia’s decision to revive legal cannabis sales through the state budget instead of standalone legislation has triggered several days of confusion over the commonwealth’s marijuana laws, with lawmakers, local prosecutors, Virginia State Police and legislative officials offering differing interpretations of when key provisions take effect.
Much of the confusion focused on two issues: whether Virginia’s long-delayed retail cannabis market had accidentally been moved up by a year and whether existing criminal penalties for marijuana possession and distribution involving people younger than 21 were still enforceable.
For much of the week, the lawmakers who wrote the budget language, along with state officials, sought to settle the matter. They said licensed retail sales will not begin until July 1, 2027, and that Virginia’s current criminal laws remain in effect until then.
Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. Jeff Katz also publicly reaffirmed the agency’s enforcement position after questions arose from an internal email circulated earlier this week.
“VSP acknowledges that there have been rumors and questions pertaining to the agency’s posture on cannabis enforcement,” Katz said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. “I would like to make it clear that the Virginia State Police will continue to enforce existing laws, in line with the Code of Virginia.”
Read more on virginiamercury.com
Copyright 2026 Virginia Mercury. All rights reserved.
CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. — A Caroline County grand jury has indicted four people on first-degree murder charges in connection with a double homicide after DNA evidence identified the second victim as Helen Marie Pullen Banks, a grandmother of six.
The same four suspects charged in the murder of 18-year-old Jayden McComber have now been indicted in the death of Banks, who was living in the Richmond area at the time she went missing. Investigators linked the two homicides early in the investigation through forensic evidence.
Caroline County Sheriff Scott Moser said investigators “have been working around the clock” for a break in the case “not only for the community, but for the victims as well.”
The medical examiner’s office in Richmond used DNA to identify the 56-year-old Banks after her remains were found in poor condition. Investigators confirmed her identity on July 7.
Banks, originally from Culpeper, had been living in the Richmond area where she was in rehab at the time she went missing, according to her family. She had a connection to at least one of the four suspects, according to Moser.
The four suspects — Devonti Gregory Pettaway, 20, of Chesterfield; Kennady Jade Lambert, 18, of Hopewell; Rashad Antonio Mayfield, 23, of Glen Allen; and Jaden Lamont Phillips, 19, of Richmond — now face charges of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Banks’ death. The charges represent an upgrade from the second-degree murder charges the four originally faced in McComber’s death.
WATCH: Brother of suspect charged in murder of Hopewell teen Jayden McComber speaks out
Brother of suspect charged in murder of Hopewell teen Jayden McComber speaks out
Chief Deputy Travis Nutter outlined what investigators believe is the motive in McComber’s murder.
“We believe robbery to be the motive of the incident that happened with Jayden that ultimately led to his murder,” Nutter said.
As for the motive in Banks’ death, Nutter said investigators have not yet established one.
“There is no evidence to show that there was any sort of argument or disagreement between Ms. Banks or the four charged,” Nutter said.
Banks was a mother of five and grandmother of six. Moser said she had no known ties to Caroline County, and that her body, like McComber’s, appeared to have been brought there from another jurisdiction.
WATCH: Neighbor reacts as suspects arrested after 2 bodies found in Caroline County
Neighbor reacts as suspects arrested after 2 bodies found in Caroline County
McComber’s body was found in late March in a marshy area of Byrds Mill Pond near Sparta, near the Caroline and King and Queen County line. Banks’ remains were discovered about five miles away off Bagby Road. Investigators linked the two cases early on, in part because McComber’s AirTag had pinged about a mile and a half from where Banks’ remains were found.
Moser said the case has shaken the Sparta community but stressed that investigators moved quickly and that residents should feel reassured.
“Without a doubt this is a tremendous blow to the community,” Moser said. “When you come to this county and you do these types of crimes, we’re going to do everything we can to catch you… [We] are not used to these types of crimes being committed in Caroline.”
Moser credited a broad coalition of agencies for bringing the case to this point, including Commonwealth’s Attorney Ben Heidt, the medical examiner’s office, the U.S. Marshals Service and the broader community.
“Everyone has pulled together in a time of crisis; that’s what we do well here in Caroline,” Moser said. “We’ve had a lot of support from the community, a lot of information that’s been helpful in this investigation and that’s what community is all about.”
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Eat It, Virginia! with Scott and Robey
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.
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