Minnesota now offers ‘X’ for gender option on driver’s licenses
In addition to “M” and “F,” “X” can now be checked by any applicant who does not want to identify as male or female.
States & provinces
This archive collects milestones and progress stories involving U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and subnational governments around the world. From landmark legislation to public health wins and environmental gains, these stories highlight the real-world impact of regional policy and governance.
California bans gun sales to people under 21
The bill will prevent people under 21 from buying rifles and other types of guns.
Pennsylvania to toughen gun laws in domestic violence cases
The bill will force people in Pennsylvania with a domestic violence ruling against them to more quickly surrender their gun.
California becomes first U.S. state to require women on corporate boards
California will be the first state to require publicly traded companies to have at least one woman on their board of directors.
California becomes first U.S. state to ban sale of animal-tested cosmetics
The bill prohibits manufacturers from trying to “import for profit, sell, or offer for sale” any cosmetic that is tested on animals. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.
State of Wisconsin ordered to cover surgeries for transgender University of Wisconsin employees
U.S. District Judge William Conley concluded that there was no legally valid reason to exclude medically necessary care for the workers and called some of the state’s arguments “unhinged from reality.”
California pledges 100% clean electricity by 2045
Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Monday that puts California — the world’s fifth largest economy if it was an independent country — on an ambitious path: using 100% clean electricity by 2045.
Pennsylvanians can now file LGBTQ discrimination complaints
For the first time ever, LGBTQ Pennsylvanians have a way to seek recourse from the state if they’re the subject of discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
California slashes emissions, hits major greenhouse gas goal years early
In a major win for California’s fight against global warming, the state appears to have hit its first target for cutting greenhouse gases, and it reached the goal early.
Virginia and New York enact first laws demanding mental health education
The Empire State’s law, which was reportedly written in 2015, says mental health is “an integral part of our overall health and should be an integral part of health education in New York schools.”