Social media age verification, food delivery tips and tax deductions: New 2026 laws
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Many of the key changes of President Trump's flagship first-year legislation go into effect in 2026, along with state-level policy expanding tech and labor protections.
Why it matters: New and amended laws intended to advance or restrict this administration's policies and platforms will affect Americans' wallets, work and entertainment in 2026.
Read about some of the new federal and state legislation:
"Big Beautiful Bill" tax changes
- The megabill, signed on July 4, cuts funding for social safety measures, extends tax cuts and finances Trump's immigration agenda.
For tax year 2026, the standard tax inflation deduction will increase to $32,200 for married couples filing jointly.
- For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rises to $16,100.
- The bill increases the maximum of employer-provided childcare tax credit from $150,000 to $500,000.
Read more: 5 under-the-radar pieces of Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that may impact your life
Social security adjustments
Payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8% next year in accordance with cost-of-living adjustments.
- It's higher than last year's 2.5% increase but below the decade average of 3.1%.
Read more: Social Security's day of reckoning is nearly here
Social media laws protecting children
Virginia: A new Virginia law limits social media use to one hour per day per application for anyone 16 and under, unless parents give consent to increase the limit.
- The law takes effect on Jan. 1.
Nebraska: The Parental Rights in Social Media Act will require social media companies to verify the ages of users and obtain parental consent before allowing minors to create their own accounts.
- The law takes effect on July 1.
Read more: Teen phone crackdown goes global
Labor law changes
What they're saying: "This year's legislative updates reflect a growing emphasis on fairness, accountability, and adaptability in the modern workforce," according to employment and labor law practice Littler Mendelson P.C.
California: Food delivery legislation in California will bar platforms from using tips or gratuity to offset the base pay of the delivery person.
- This law takes effect on Jan. 1.
Illinois: Unemployment insurance benefits will expand to people unable to work due to mental health disability.
- This law takes effect on Jan. 1.
Nevada: Certain employers will be required to establish and implement safety programs concerning poor air quality from wildfire smoke in the workplace.
- This law takes effect on Jan. 1.
Read more: Workers to bear brunt of health cost increases in 2026
Transgender protections and restrictions
Colorado: The Kelly Loving Act in Colorado makes purposely and repeatedly deadnaming or misgendering transgender people an act of discrimination.
- It also requires schools to allow chosen names to accommodate trans students.
- The bill was named in honor of a transgender woman killed during the 2022 Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs.
- The law takes effect on Oct. 1.
New Hampshire: State legislation bans gender-affirming medical care for minors, including procedures and medication.
- The law takes effect on Jan. 1.
Read more: Trump's widening war on gender-affirming care... Texas lawmakers file a record number of anti-trans bills in 2025
Schools and students
Florida: The "Second Chance Act" will require electrocardiograms for high school student athletes to participate in interscholastic competitions.
- The rule starts ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
Ohio: Schools in Ohio must adopt artificial intelligence policies by July, per a mandate in the state budget.
- School districts are also required to adopt a policy by Jan. 1 banning cell phones during the instructional day.
Flashback: New 2025 laws... New 2024 laws... New 2023 laws
