Washington, D.C
New DC area laws go into effect Jan. 1, 2024: minimum wage increases, plastic bag bans, health care
WASHINGTON – New year – new laws.
Beginning January 1, 2024, several new laws went into effect across the Washington, D.C. area.
While there are no significant new laws in the District itself, several in Maryland and Virginia will cause notable change throughout the metro region.
NEW MARYLAND LAWS 2024
MINIMUM WAGES
Maryland has raised minimum wages for workers to $15 an hour. The Fair Wage Act of 2023 was signed into law by Maryland Governor Wes Moore in April of last year. The new law will increase wages for approximately 163,000 workers.
Maryland minimum wage increases to $15
Maryland has raised minimum wages for workers to $15 an hour.
PLASTIC BAG BANS
Businesses in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties, and in Frederick, Maryland, will no longer be permitted to provide single-use plastic bags at the point of sale. Customers are encouraged to bring reusable bags with them to shop.
The ban was enacted to help protect local waterways and marine life, reduce plastic pollution and litter, and promote reusable bags. Several other areas of Maryland, like Baltimore County, already have plastic bag bans in place.
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Plastic bag ban starts in parts of Maryland
Businesses in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties, and in Frederick, Maryland, will no longer be permitted to provide single-use plastic bags at the point of sale.
TRANS HEALTH EQUITY ACT
Maryland’s Medicaid program is now required to cover medically necessary gender-affirming care without discrimination.
According to the legislation posted online, “the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to provide gender-affirming treatment in a nondiscriminatory manner; requiring that the gender-affirming treatment be assessed according to nondiscriminatory criteria that are consistent with current clinical standards; prohibiting the issuance of an adverse benefit determination related to gender-affirming treatment unless a certain experienced health care provider has reviewed and confirmed the appropriateness of the determination; etc.”
NEW VIRGINIA LAWS 2024
COUNSELING COMPACT
The legislation authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to the Counseling Compact, which allows eligible licensed professional counselors to practice in other Compact member states – as long as they are licensed in at least one of the member states. Virginia is the 20th state to join the Counseling Compact.
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PANELS
The new law aims to ensure a smoother transition and continuity of care for patients.
Insurance carriers must now inform policyholders if their current healthcare provider, or one they’ve seen in the past six months, is no longer part of the carrier’s network.
If your healthcare provider is removed from the insurance network, you have the right to continue receiving care from them for at least 90 days after their removal.
READ MORE: New Virginia laws going into effect on January 1, 2024
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Washington, D.C
Mayor Bowser, Commanders' Josh Harris, and other local leaders react to RFK Stadium deal
WASHINGTON (7News) — After years of debate, false starts, and controversy, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act was passed in the Senate with unanimous consent, paving the way for the Washington Commanders to return to D.C.
Now, local leaders are speaking about the benefits, and potential drawbacks, of a new football stadium in the city.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)
D.C. has scored a victory in its fight for self-determination just in time for the holidays. When the bill is signed into law by President Biden, D.C. will get to decide for itself what to do with the largest unused tract of land remaining in the District. I look forward to seeing the site transformed from crumbling blight to a productive and bustling complex that will generate significant revenue for the nation’s capital.
Throughout my career in Congress, I’ve prioritized transferring unused federal land to D.C. or the private sector, enabling the redevelopment of neighborhoods, generating tax revenue and bringing much-needed space to the District.
Maryland U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen
Maryland has been the proud home of the Commanders for over two decades and we continue to believe that this partnership should continue long into the future. After working to level the financial playing field, and receiving assurances that should the team move they will redevelop the existing site in a manner that meets the needs of the community, tonight we supported the proposed land transfer legislation. We have always supported the District’s effort to control its own land, and through regional discussions and cooperation, our concerns with this proposal have been addressed.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser
Josh Harris, Managing Partner of the Washington Commanders
We are extremely grateful that our elected officials have come together on a bipartisan basis to give Washington D.C. the opportunity to decide on the future of the RFK stadium site. This bill will create an equal playing field so that all potential future locations for the home of the Washington Commanders can be fairly considered and give our franchise the opportunity to provide the best experience for all of our fans.
Congressman Glenn Ivey (D-Md)
Maryland should have the chance to compete to keep the Commanders here.
I opposed this bill in the House, and I oppose it today, because federal taxpayers should not be required to subsidize an NFL stadium by offering a 99-year lease of the RFK campus for free. That’s not fair to the taxpayers, and it’s not fair to Maryland because it undermines Maryland’s chance to compete on a level playing field.
But we can still win. Our site offers two nearby Metro stations, superior highway access, and a larger campus for parking. Now that the Dan Snyder era is over and the Harris team has brought winning football back to the DMV, a state-of-the-art indoor stadium would jumpstart redevelopment in the area and trigger property appreciation in short order. In addition to the ten games or so the Commanders play, the stadium could be used year-round for events like the Final Four and music concerts. Working closely with the Harris team–which owns much of the land around the stadium–we could create an economic win-win that would benefit the community, the region, the team, and the fans.
Maryland looks forward to working with the Harris team to make that vision a reality.
DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie
DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson
We are grateful the legislation passed and that this large tract will not continue to deteriorate with a crumbling stadium on it.
At the same time, it is unfortunate that the Senate found unanimous consent to move the legislation concerning RFK, but is leaving untouched ten judicial vacancies. This continues to be a setback to the District’s public safety ecosystem. I would also be remiss to not emphasize that the continuing resolution underfunds, our police by $10 million.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — Mayor Muriel Bowser, along with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), is offering dozens of activities for kids and families during the 2024-2025 Winter break.
“These initiatives provide young people with safe and engaging activities from Dec. 21 through Dec. 31. While many events are designed for all age groups, DPR is also hosting specialized programming for teenagers, creating dedicated spaces for them to connect, socialize, and have fun,” the Mayor said in a press release.
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Here are a list of the activities:
Community Toy Giveaway: Toy distribution and cocoa for children in the community
- When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Where: Fort Stevens Recreation Center, 1327 Van Buren Street, NW
Movie Field Trip: Sonic 3: Young people can enjoy a field trip to see Sonic 3, with multiple pickup locations
- When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Register HERE
Grinchmas at Kenilworth: Join us for a community holiday Grinch-themed party
- When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Where: Kenilworth Recreation Center, 4321 Ord Street, NE
Community Christmas Extravaganza: An event for the distribution of toys, hygiene products, coats, and used clothing to those in need
- When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Where: Rosedale Community Center, 1701 Gales Street, NE
Holiday Hype: A festive gathering at the MLK Library for all ages
- When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Where: MLK Library, 901 G Street NW
- Register HERE
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Just Cares Toys for Tots Youth Basketball Tournament: This holiday basketball tournament and charity event will include Santa picture booth, entertainment, toy giveaways, and adult and kids basketball games!
- When: Sunday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Where: Deanwood Community Center, 1350 49th Street, NE
Water Cycle and Aqua Fitness: Water-based activities and fitness sessions
- Where: Ferebee-Hope Aquatic Center, 700 Yuma Street SE
- Water Cycle: Dec. 24 and 26, 3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- Aqua Fitness: Dec. 24 and 26, 6 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
eSports and Gaming Tournaments
- eSports Throwback & Brawlhalla Tournament: Columbia Heights Community Center, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- eSports 2K24 Tournament: Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, Dec. 26, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Winter E-Gaming Tournament: Hillcrest Recreation Center, Dec. 27, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- eSports Madden Tournament: Deanwood Community Center, Dec. 27, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Holiday Drip: Celebrate the season with music and water-based fun
- When: Dec. 27, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Where: Barry Farm Aquatic Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE
Holiday Sing-Along: Come out to sing your favorite holiday carols
- When: Monday, Dec. 30, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Where: Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street, NW
Holiday Movie Night: Come out to the Joseph Cole Recreation Center for a holiday movie
- Where: Joseph Cole Recreation Center, 1299 Neal Street, NE
- When: Monday, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Teen Time: Teens will have the chance to play minute-to-win-it games, board games, art activities, and basketball!
- When: Friday, Dec. 27, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Where: Ridge Road Community Center, 830 Ridge Road, SE,
Teen Time: Teens will have the chance to play minute-to-win games, board games, art activities, and basketball!
- When: Monday, Dec. 23, Tuesday, Dec. 24, Monday, Dec. 30, and Tuesday, Dec. 31, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Where: Rosedale Community Center, 1701 Gales Street, NE
High School Lifeguard Training: Comprehensive lifeguard training for high school students at multiple locations
- Ballou HS Aquatic Center, 3401 4th Street SE: Dec. 22 – 24, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Dunbar HS Aquatic Center, 101 N Street NW: Dec. 26 – 28, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Roosevelt HS Aquatic Center, 4301 13th Street NW: Dec. 29 – 31, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Rumsey Aquatic Center, 635 North Carolina Avenue SE: Dec. 29 – 31, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Junior Lifeguard Academy: A training program for youth ages 9 to 15 interested in lifeguarding, with sessions offered at various aquatic centers
- When: Dec. 23 through 31
- Locations:
- Barry Farm Aquatic Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Turkey Thicket Aquatic Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue NE: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Ferebee-Hope Aquatic Center, 700 Yuma Street SE: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
- Deanwood Aquatic Center, 1350 49th Street NE: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
- Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren Street NW: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
- Reservoir Park Aquatic Center, 10 Lower Service Court NW: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
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