Dozens of new laws will take effect in the District, Maryland and Virginia on Oct. 1.
It will impact renters, landlords, grocery stores, law enforcement, Medicaid patients and those with felony convictions.
Here are some of the new laws below that will take effect Thursday.
Paid family leave: For D.C. residents, the paid family leave weekly benefit maximum will decrease from $1,190 to $1,100; family leave will go down from 12 to six weeks; and medical leave will decrease from 12 to 10 weeks.
Starting Oct. 1, 2026, the Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2024 takes full effect in D.C., regulating rental housing pet fees and rules.
Predatory Pricing Act: With grocery prices rising, Maryland will become the first state in the U.S. to ban dynamic pricing. Starting Oct. 1, retailers and third-party delivery services cannot use personal data to set prices for groceries and other items. It was signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore, telling WTOP, “I don’t think anyone should be paying more for the same groceries just because of an algorithm.” WTOP’s partners at The Baltimore Banner reported that businesses can no longer refuse cash payments for essential goods under $300 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Law enforcement: People in law enforcement, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, will not be allowed to wear face coverings or masks. Those who violate this new law will be subject to a fine of up to $1,500. It will also require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to have a uniform policy in which officers will have to wear visible identification while they’re on duty.
Road safety systems: The state’s highway administration will enforce speed cameras in areas that are high risk for pedestrians and cyclists. The new law, called the Vulnerable Road User Protection Act of 2026, allows for fines ranging from $40 to $425.
PACE Act: Maryland will be the third state to limit how prosecutors use rap lyrics in criminal trials.
Temporary protective orders: The temporary protective orders for victims of domestic abuse will increase from seven to 14 days.
Medicaid changes: Some non-U.S. adult citizens will see changes to rules on being eligible for Medicaid. In order to qualify, those adults must be pregnant, 12 months postpartum, a lawful permanent resident, a Cuban-Haitian entrant or a Compact of Free Association migrant. Those who aren’t eligible for full Medicaid benefits can still qualify for Emergency Services Medicaid.
Record-sealing law: Those with some qualifying misdemeanors will be eligible for automatic sealing, meaning that they do not need to petition the court. It is part of Virginia’s “Clean Slate” law that went into effect on July 1 that would seal more than 100,000 criminal records. Proponents said this change would help those affected gain employment, access to housing, civic participation and professional licensing.
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