New State Laws Take Effect in 2026
As 2026 begins, numerous new laws across the United States are taking effect, touching on key issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), health care, paid family leave, and voting access. These policy changes reflect the evolving landscape of technology, labor rights, and health care affordability at the state level, especially as federal initiatives continue to stall.
Artificial Intelligence and Deepfakes Under Scrutiny
In response to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, 38 states have enacted legislation targeting AI usage, particularly in elections and health care. This state-level momentum persists despite President Donald Trump’s December executive order aimed at preempting state regulations in favor of a uniform national policy that is minimally restrictive.
Tim Storey, CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures, emphasized states’ leadership in AI governance. “AI is the big one,” he noted during a recent press briefing, highlighting the urgency in addressing this transformative technology.
Several states have focused specifically on deepfakes—manipulated media designed to mislead. California’s new law prohibits AI developers from presenting chatbots as licensed medical professionals, while Oregon’s legislation bars AI systems from using titles like “nurse” when offering health advice. In the political sphere, Montana and South Dakota now require disclosures when deepfakes are used in election-related content—a safeguard expected to be crucial during the upcoming midterms.
These measures follow instances like the 2024 presidential election, when a political consultant used AI to generate a robocall impersonating President Joe Biden, discouraging Democratic voters in New Hampshire from participating in the primary. Despite growing concern, Congress has yet to pass federal legislation banning such deceptive content.
Expansion of Paid Family and Medical Leave
In 2026, Maine, Delaware, and Minnesota will implement new paid family and medical leave policies, joining a growing list of states offering such benefits. Additionally, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington have expanded or amended existing leave programs. These policies support workers who need time off for medical reasons, childbirth, or caregiving, while still receiving a portion of their wages.
Sen. Alice Mann of Minnesota, a physician and sponsor of her state’s leave law, said her medical background motivated her to act. “People are left with the choice of taking care of themselves or their families and not getting paid. That’s not an option faced in most other countries,” she said.
The rollout of Minnesota’s program included a $5 million public information campaign to educate employers and communities about the policy’s benefits and procedures. Delaware and Maine’s laws, passed in 2022 and 2023 respectively, are also set to go live this year.
While the federal Family and Medical Leave Act provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, the U.S. remains the only developed nation without a national paid leave policy. Mann hopes that the popularity and success of these state programs will inspire broader adoption across the country.
Obamacare Subsidies Expire, States Step In
Starting in January, all 50 states will face increased health care premiums as subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expire due to congressional inaction. In anticipation, Colorado passed legislation during a special session in August 2025, allocating $100 million to offset the expected spike in premiums within its state-run health exchange.
Rep. Kyle Brown, the bill’s sponsor, explained that the funding is intended as a temporary solution. “Before we passed the bill, premiums were projected to increase by 175%. Now, they’re going up by 100%—still significant, but mitigated,” he said.
According to the state’s Insurance Division, around 225,000 Coloradans will see an average premium increase of 101%. Nationally, the health policy research group KFF estimates that premiums could more than double without the subsidies.
Brown expressed frustration with the federal government’s failure to act, particularly after a six-week government shutdown in 2025 stalled budget discussions. “It feels like states are on their own,” he remarked, underscoring the growing burden on state governments to protect residents’ access to affordable health care.
Stricter Voting Laws Ahead of Midterms
In 2025, 20 states passed 37 laws restricting voting access, the highest number since 2021, according to the Voting Rights Lab. At the same time, only 23 states passed 51 bills to improve elections—the lowest number of such reforms since tracking began.
New restrictions include eliminating grace periods for mail-in ballots in Kansas and North Dakota and limiting alternatives to photo ID requirements in eight states. These changes reflect a broader trend influenced by a March 2025 executive order from President Trump that proposed sweeping changes to election procedures, including proof-of-citizenship requirements and stricter mail-in ballot deadlines.
Although a federal court blocked the citizenship mandate as executive overreach, multiple states introduced similar legislation. Chris Vasquez, of the Voting Rights Lab, noted that 27 states introduced proof-of-citizenship bills in 2025—three times more than in the previous session. While most failed, restrictions on mail-in voting gained more traction.
Looking ahead, Vasquez said state-level redistricting and a pending Supreme Court case could significantly impact the Voting Rights Act’s reach. “State-level protections will be critical in defending against potential voter suppression,” he said.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.