ST. PAUL — If you are a cosmetologist, smoke marijuana, plan to go to college, were adopted, buy stuff on Amazon, are a child care provider or pharmacist, take heed: A new batch of Minnesota laws that take effect on July 1, 2024, could affect your life. Here are some of the more high-profile changes coming your way.
There are more protections and penalties against those seeking to influence an election through deep fakes. A deep fake is a video of a person in which their face or body has been digitally altered so they appear to be someone else. Often it is done maliciously or to spread false information.
Existing protections have been expanded to require forfeiture of office or nomination of candidates who are found guilty of violations. The state’s scholarship program, aimed at making higher education more affordable and accessible to eligible Minnesota residents, takes effect. The “last-dollar” program covers the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.
Estimates are that the program will impact 15,000 to 20,000 students in the first academic year. Eligible students must have a household income under $80,000. School boards will no longer have to hold a special election if a vacancy occurs two years before the expiration of a term.
Instead, a school board may now fill the vacancy by appointment. Special elections must be held if a board member is removed for cause. ADVERTISEMENT Minnesotan.
