New 2017 Laws in MA: Lyft and Uber; Minimum Wage; Marijuana

When you open your bleary eyes on New Year's Day, not much will have changed, really. You'll be a day older, perhaps a little more, um, tired than usual. But the one thing that's guaranteed to be different is state law, including a few that could impact your daily life.

Patch has tracked down the biggies and assembled a quick guide below:

Minimum Wage Rises to $11

In keeping with a July 2014 piece of legislation, Massachusetts' minimum wage rises from $10 to $11 per hour on January 1. Additionally, tipped employees (aka employees who receive more than $20 a month in tips) must be paid a minimum of $3.75 per hour, provided that, with tips, the employee receives at least $11 per hour. If the total hourly rate for the employee, including tips, does not equal $11, then the employer must make up the difference.

Lyft, Uber Background Checks Begin

Starting Jan. 1, 2017, mobile ride-hailing companies like Lyft and Uber will implement what the governor's office calls "the most stringent ride-for-hire background check system of any state in the country."

The agreements expedite new regulations signed in August by Gov. Charlie Baker, after Uber and Lyft independently agreed to move quicker than the law had originally stipulated. Starting in January, their contract drivers will undergo a full state Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) background check, including confirmation that the driver is not a registered sex offender. Massachusetts still will not require fingerprint background checks, despite law enforcement objections.

Public Records Access Opens (A Little)

In the first update to state open record law since the early 1970s, it will be easier to fight for public records access, starting Jan. 1. New language encourages the posting of electronic records and caps fees for paper copies. The new rules also require a clearly posted, designated "go-to" person whose responsibility it is to field such requests, and makes it easier to potentially punish non-compliant agencies. On the flip side, some information could become harder to access. MuckRock has the full rundown on its site here.

MBTA Fare Hikes Capped

One law passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2017 budget adds a few new rules around raising fares for public transit. For one thing, fares can only rise once every two years. For another, they're capped at no more than 7 percent during that time. It was hailed by transit advocates as a laudable, if slightly high, compromise. This, too, takes effect no later than Jan. 1 of 2017.

Marijuana Is Legal, But...

Legalized recreational marijuana is already on the books in Massachusetts, but there are still several things you cannot do under the new law (namely, legally purchase weed for non-medicinal purposes). Patch has the rundown on the do's and don'ts of the new law, plus the pieces of it that don't start until 2018.

Photo by Alison Bauter, Patch staff