These new laws go into effect Oct. 1 in DC, Maryland and Virginia

Key Points:

• Maryland bans dynamic pricing in grocery stores and third-party delivery services to prevent price discrimination based on consumer data, requiring prices to remain fixed for at least one business day.
• New Maryland laws restrict ICE agents and law enforcement from wearing masks, extend protective orders for domestic abuse victims from seven to 14 days, limit the use of rap lyrics as criminal evidence, and prevent automatic adult charges for minors in certain crimes.
• Virginia expands "clean slate" laws allowing automatic sealing of certain misdemeanor records, but imposes stricter Medicaid eligibility for noncitizen adults (except pregnant or postpartum individuals), and mandates unannounced tobacco sales compliance checks at least every 24 months.
• Washington D.C. reduces guaranteed family leave from 12 to 6 weeks and medical leave from 12 to 10 weeks, lowers the weekly benefit maximum, but keeps parental and prenatal leave unchanged; also limits pet rent fees and prohibits landlords from banning common household pets based on breed, size, or weight.