No Powdered Alcohol, More Judges, Gas Tax: Maryland Laws Effective July 1, 2016

Several new laws take effect on Friday, July 1, regulating everything from gas prices to archery in Maryland.

Here's what you need to know:

• The minimum wage will rise from $8.25 to $8.75 per hour, with more increases planned over the next two years. The bill raising the minimum wage was approved during the General Assembly's 2014 session. The legislation calls for increasing the minimum wage again—to $9.25 in 2017 and $10.10 in 2018.
• The sale of powdered alcohol is banned until June 30, 2018. Those who sell it may be fined up to $1,000 for the misdemeanor.
• Fees will be reduced for those seeking certified copies of birth and death certificates, from $24 to $10.
• New judges will be added where caseloads have dictated the need—in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
• The State Board of Education will develop and carry out a sexual abuse/assault awareness curriculum.
• The gas tax will increase to $0.3350, as the result of transportation legislation approved in 2013.
• High school students proficient in speaking, reading and writing at least one language in addition to English can receive a "Seal of Biliteracy" on their diplomas and transcripts, starting with the class of 2017.
• The College Affordability Act of 2016 prohibits higher education institutions from referring students to collections agencies and offers a $5,000 tax credit for those with student loan debt greater than $20,000.
• Certain state websites and special education materials must be available in translation if needed.
• Archery must be 50 yards from a house, church or other building where humans gather in Calvert and Harford counties.
• Garrett County will vote by referendum on Nov. 8 whether to allow businesses to sell liquor on Sundays.
• Carroll County will allow liquor to be sold starting at 8 a.m., rather than 11 a.m., on Sundays.

As a general rule, state officials say that budgetary, tax and revenue bills take effect on July 1, while other laws become effective Oct. 1.

Read all of the new laws taking effect July 1.

Photo of Maryland flag by Nicolas Raymond via Flickr, Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0.