New year, new laws: Laws taking effect in 2023 in Michiana

Each new year brings new laws, and many took effect on January 1.

Indiana

On the road, a mandate ended. The mandate indicated that signal all turns at least 200 feet ahead of time and 300 feet when over 50 miles per hour. Lawmakers argued the specific distances were constantly broken and difficult to enforce.

The state income tax rate drops .08% to 3.15%.

For property taxes, the $3,000 property tax deduction for mortgaged property ended, and the homestead deduction increased from $45,000 to $48,000. The senior citizen tax deduction may be claimed on homes up to $240,000 instead of the maximum of $200,000.

There's also a new law that creates minimum standards for how Indiana police can pursue suspects, stating the pursuit should not begin or continue if the need for an immediate arrest is very low and public safety risks are high-. It asks officers to consider things like road conditions, the violation of the suspect and more.

Next, doctors must offer a blood lead screening test to the parents of children between nine months and six years old if the child has not previously been tested for lead poisoning.

Michigan

In the workplace, Michigan's minimum wage has increased to $10.10 per hour, raising the rate for minors to $8.59 and $3.84 for tipped employees. With continuous wage increases into 2030. This comes after the 2018 One Fair Wage petition that would have set minimum wage at $12 per hour by 2022 and raised the minimum wage for tipped workers to 80% of the standard minimum wage. However, lawmakers changed the language to become the now 10 dollar an hour wages, and now the issue is heading to the courts. Depending on the results, wages could rise to $13 per hour.

In the classroom, Michigan schools requiring a financial literacy course for graduation. Schools must post excerpts of the 1976 state law guaranteeing parents the right to direct the education of their children.

Beginning in April 2023, the state will establish an automated system for expunging records. That includes up to 2 felony convictions will automatically be expunged the later of 10 years after sentencing or the person's release from custody and those with up to 4 misdemeanors will automatically be expunged 7 years after sentencing.

National

Across the US the "millionaire tax" takes effect, imposing a 4% surtax on incomes exceeding one million dollars.

Also starting this year, many Americans will qualify for a tax credit up to $7,500 for purchasing an electric vehicle as part of the inflation reduction act.

And in response to inflation, social security recipients will see more in 2023 as the cost-of-living adjustment increases to 8.7% with the average benefit check rising by more than $140 to $1,827 per month.