{"id":529991,"date":"2025-12-17T14:53:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T19:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northernvirginiamag.com\/?p=529991"},"modified":"2025-12-17T14:53:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T19:53:44","slug":"these-new-virginia-laws-go-into-effect-january-1-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northernvirginiamag.com\/news\/2025\/12\/17\/these-new-virginia-laws-go-into-effect-january-1-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"These New Virginia Laws Go\u00a0into\u00a0Effect January 1, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Beginning January 1, 2026, a slate of new laws will kick into effect in Virginia. Here are some to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baby Food Testing<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Baby Food Protection Act mandates that manufacturers\u00a0test for\u00a0toxic heavy metals in baby food products and display the results from their tests\u00a0via a QR code on the label.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Media for Minors<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starting January 1, social media platforms must use neutral age screening mechanisms to determine if a user is under 16.\u00a0If they are,\u00a0they\u2019ll\u00a0be limited to one hour on that platform per day \u2014 but parents can choose\u00a0to allow\u00a0more or less screen\u00a0time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fentanyl Testing<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Under this new law, known as Malcolm\u2019s Law, hospitals must include fentanyl screenings as part of urine drug tests used to assist in diagnosing a patient\u2019s condition.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Telemarketer Calls<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Virginia Telephone Privacy Act restricts telephone solicitors to making calls only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., unless\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0obtained prior consent.\u00a0They\u2019ll\u00a0also have to\u00a0identify\u00a0themselves when calling or texting with a solicitation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The law also protects against unwanted telemarketing calls or texts. Individuals can request not to receive solicitations over the phone or by texting the word UNSUBSCRIBE or STOP. Telemarketers who receive those requests must honor them for at least 10 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insurance Requirements for Cancer Screenings <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Insurance carriers can no longer impose cost sharing for\u00a0diagnostic breast exams<\/a>\u00a0or supplemental breast exams, including\u00a0mammograms, breast MRIs, and breast ultrasounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coverage rules for prostate cancer screenings<\/a> will also update to reflect updated tests and guidelines from the American Cancer Society. The law will require coverage for prostate cancer screenings like blood tests and rectal exams.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minimum Wage Rises<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The minimum wage will increase to $12.77 an hour, an increase from the current $12.41. That\u2019s a 2.9 percent increase, consistent with how much the U.S. Average Consumer Price Index rose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unemployment Benefits Increase<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Weekly unemployment payments will also increase by $52 from the current rate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Itemized Statement of Court Fines<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If someone is convicted of a traffic infraction or criminal law and has to pay a fine, restitution, forfeiture, or penalty, or owes any other costs, the court must provide an itemized statement of all of those costs.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feature image, stock.adobe.com <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From social media rules to restrictions on telemarketer calls, here’s what’s changing in the new year. ","protected":false},"author":1001963,"featured_media":494509,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41098],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-529991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThese New Virginia Laws Go\u00a0into\u00a0Effect January 1, 2026<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Beginning January 1, 2026, new laws will kick into effect in Virginia, impacting social media, telemarketing calls, and minimum wage.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/northernvirginiamag.com\/news\/2025\/12\/17\/these-new-virginia-laws-go-into-effect-january-1-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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