2025 Laws: AI Regulations, Fair Admissions, and Healthcare Changes

In 2025, several new laws will take effect across the U. S. , focusing on artificial intelligence, college admissions, and healthcare. Let's dive into the changes happening in Illinois and California, New Hampshire, and nationwide. Illinois and California are leading the way in AI regulations. Illinois will make it illegal to distribute digital replicas of individuals without consent and prohibit AI-generated child pornography. California is focusing on the entertainment industry, requiring informed consent for AI-generated replicas of performers. These laws aim to protect privacy while supporting innovation. Data privacy is getting a boost in eight states: Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota, and Tennessee. These laws will make businesses more transparent about data collection and use. Maryland's new law is the most restrictive, limiting data collection to what's "reasonably necessary" and prohibiting the sale of sensitive data. California is also making changes to college admissions. Legacy admissions, which give an advantage to applicants with familial or monetary connections, will be banned at private, nonprofit institutions. This shift promotes fairness in the admissions process. New Hampshire is implementing new healthcare regulations for transgender youth. The state will prevent minors from receiving transition-related surgeries and prohibit physicians from referring them for out-of-state procedures. However, other forms of gender-affirming care, like puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy, will still be available. This law has sparked concerns about the regulation of medical care for transgender people. Nationally, adults will need Real ID-compliant driver's licenses or identification cards to fly domestically starting May 7, 2025. This enforcement, delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is based on a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission.