Virginia, Maryland and D.C. enact new laws on July 1 affecting law enforcement, schools and wages
On July 1, a series of statutes took effect in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, covering police mask rules, immigration cooperation, assault-weapon bans, speed-limit technology, student device restrictions, free menstrual products and a minimum-wage increase.
A Virginia judge issued a temporary injunction halting a law that bars on-duty police officers from wearing face coverings, after the Department of Justice argued the measure infringes the Supremacy Clause. The state’s attorney general’s office said it "strongly disagrees" with the order and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting law enforcement and transparent policing.
The same injunction also paused enforcement of a new assault-weapon ban that prohibits the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms and high-capacity magazines, pending a permanent ruling.
Virginia also became the first state to allow judges to order drivers who exceed 100 mph to install "intelligent speed assistance" devices instead of imposing jail time or license suspensions. Additional statutes expand protections for immigrant workers filing wage-theft complaints, automatically seal low-level criminal records, codify access to contraception and require landlords to accept checks or money orders without excessive processing fees.
In Maryland, schools must adopt "bell-to-bell" bans on personal cell phones, tablets, smart watches and similar devices by the 2027-2028 school year, with exemptions for school-issued equipment and certain health-related uses. Colleges and universities that provide on-campus housing must offer free tampons and sanitary pads in health centers, with compliance required by August 1, 2028. Baltimore County businesses may apply for permits to sell sealed cocktails for carry-out, provided the purchase includes food. New legislation also makes it illegal to sell or transport racehorses known to be destined for commercial slaughter and requires lottery operators to withhold prize payments from winners who owe child support or specific state debts.
The District of Columbia raised its minimum wage on July 1, increasing the standard rate from $17.95 to $18.40 per hour and the tipped-worker base wage from $10.00 to $10.30 per hour, with employers required to cover any shortfall if tips do not bring earnings up to the minimum.
