New laws in 2026 target AI and deepfakes, paid leave and rising Obamacare premiums

As the country prepares to ring in the new year, new state laws will take effect around the country on a host of issues, including the use of artificial intelligence in health care and elections, paid family and medical leave and rising medical insurance costs.

As the country prepares to ring in the new year, new state laws will take effect around the country on a host of issues, including the use of artificial intelligence in health care and elections, paid family and medical leave and rising medical insurance costs.

Some states are looking for ways to soften the blow of higher health care premiums as Affordable Care Act tax subsidies expire after Congress failed to extend them. And on the verge of the coming year’s midterm elections, a slew of more restrictive voting laws are taking effect.

Here are some of the laws that go live in 2026:

Thirty-eight states passed legislation this year to deal with the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, including on such topics as preventing the misuse of AI in elections and regulating how the technology disperses medical information, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

AI will continue to be a top issue for states despite President Donald Trump’s executive order in December seeking to limit state regulations on AI, said the group’s CEO, Tim Storey.