New Laws on the Horizon in 2019
A New Year means celebrating with confetti and champagne.
A New Year means setting new resolutions.
A New Year means still using the old year when writing the date for a couple of weeks.
…and a New Year means New Laws.
Here’s a look at some new laws for 2019 that caught our eye, both in New Jersey and elsewhere.
1. Hunters will be allowed to wear pink (Illinois)
Hey, we’re all for pink, especially the role it plays in breast cancer awareness.
Under a new Illinois law, hunters that want to spice up their wardrobe can now add some pink options to their typical bright orange duds.
As Marisa Tomei so eloquently explained in My Cousin Vinny, I’m not sure if the deer will care that much on the color choice. See link below (warning: graphic language).
2. Hair Braiding Licenses – New Jersey
“It was crazy, they treated it as if it was a drug bust or something,” said Melek Ustunluk, who was arrested in 2014 by an officer whose hair she had previously braided.
“They had a list that said I did bleaching, coloring and curls, but I’m just a braider.” (nj.com)
Who do you think of when considering the most notorious criminal ever?
Al Capone perhaps?
Maybe Charles Manson?
How about that nice woman down the street that likes to braid hair?
Well, with a new law going into effect this year, hair braiders can breath a sigh of relief. There shouldn’t be any swat teams surrounding them anytime soon.
Previously, the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling required that all braiders be licensed the same as hairstylists and barbers. This meant braiders had to deal with a “17,000 price tag of cosmetology school along with 1,200 hours of training” or go without a license and risk a tank busting through their front door in a raid.
As of January 1st, 2019, hair braiders in New Jersey are now required to hold a limited license and receive 40 to 50 hours of training, depending on their experience, including instruction in sanitation, decontamination and infection control.
3. Special ‘temporary extreme risk protective order (T-ERPO) to seize guns – New Jersey
This new law establishes a process and procedures for obtaining a protective order against persons who pose a significant danger of bodily injury to themselves or others by possessing or purchasing a firearm.
In deciding whether to issue a T-ERPO, the court is required to consider whether the person has:
- a history of threats or acts of violence directed toward self or others
- a history of use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against another
- any temporary or final domestic violence restraining order or sexual violence protective order
- a violation of a temporary or final domestic violence restraining order or sexual violence protective order
- any prior arrests, pending charges, or convictions for a violent indictable crime or disorderly persons offense
- a stalking offense, or domestic violence offense
- an offense involving animal cruelty; a history of animal cruelty or drug or alcohol abuse
- and any recent acquisitions of a firearm, ammunition, or other deadly weapon.
If the T-ERPO is issued, the person is prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms or ammunition, as well as obtaining or holding a firearms purchaser identification card (FPIC), permit to purchase a handgun (PPH), and permit to carry a handgun (PCH). (https://www.njleg.state.nj.us)
4. Insurance coverage for breast milk – New Jersey
In this post back in 2016, we wrote about a NJ law that required employers to provide a location for new nursing moms. We cited the following quote from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services:
“RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IF 90 PERCENT OF FAMILIES EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFED FOR 6 MONTHS, ALMOST 1,000 INFANT DEATHS MAY BE PREVENTED ANNUALLY AND $13 BILLION WOULD BE SAVED IN MEDICAL COSTS EACH YEAR”
Well, lawmakers are apparently continuing to get the message. In 2019, another new law will go into effect for new moms that are breastfeeding.
Starting January 1st, 2019, health insurers will be required to cover breast milk for babies under six months old.
“Requiring health benefits coverage will help us to better ensure that mothers, who not produce it themselves, have access to breast milk that meets the standards of quality their infants deserve,” Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, D-Camden, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement. (NJ.COM)
5. Minimum Wage Increases In 21 States
We have always taken pride at Mintz & Geftic for being the go-to law firm for the hardworking men and women of New Jersey.
Work injuries, construction accidents, workers’ compensation cases, wage and hour lawsuits…all areas where our clients have trusted us to fight on their behalf.
In one previous blog post we highlighted a victory for Elizabeth workers when an ordinance passed requiring paid sick time.
In other posts we try to provide tips for New Jersey workers, like this video where Bryan Mintz details the key things to know about workers’ compensation.
A new law that has hit many states this year is another highlight for workers….one long overdue in the eyes of many working class americans.
In 2019, workers in a total of 21 states and 39 cities and counties will see a raise to their minimum wage.
The info below is provided by the National Employment Law Project (NELP). You can find more data regarding the specific states involved, number of workers impacted, which states may see future increases, and more by clicking here.
Minimum wages will increase in 19 states and 21 cities on or around New Year’s Day, for an initial total of 40 jurisdictions.
- In 13 cities and counties, the minimum wage will reach or exceed $15 per hour.
- In 8 states, the minimum wage will increase due to Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based cost-of-living adjustments
Later in 2019, 3 states and 18 cities and counties will follow with additional minimum wage increases.
- Among the 3 states raising their minimum wage later in 2019 is Delaware, which will raise its wage floor twice in 2019 (in January and October).
- In 4 cities, the minimum wage will reach or exceed $15 per hour
- In 6 municipalities, the minimum wage will increase due to cost-of-living adjustments. One other state (Nevada) will also consider increasing
its minimum wage due to cost-of-living increases.
By the time these multi-year minimum wage increases are fully phased in, 17 million workers will have received raises. This figure does not include workers
whose earnings will increase from cost-of-living adjustments.
While New Jersey is not included among the states with increases this year, a state Assembly Speaker has proposed a bill to change that. Under the proposed bill, a majority of New Jersey workers would see an increase to $15/hr by 2024, with the remaining workers being phased in by 2029.
Details on that proposal are available by clicking here. Check back on our blog as we’ll update if and when this is approved.
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sources:
National Employment Law Project (NELP)
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