New laws taking effect Jan. 1 in Minnesota

(ABC 6 News) – A handful of new laws have taken effect on Sunday in Minnesota.

Most of these new laws were passed during the 2022 legislative session.

One of those laws is postnatal care coverage will be required. This law was passed in 2021 which made changes to private and public health coverage. As of Jan. 1, 2023, health plans will be required to cover the following:

• A comprehensive postnatal visit with a health care provider not more than three weeks from the date of delivery
• Any postnatal visits recommended by a health care provider between three and 11 weeks from the date of delivery
• And a comprehensive postnatal visit with a health care provider 12 weeks from the delivery date.

Another new Minnesota law will allow vehicle buyers to gain information on prior damage. Buyers seeking older, less expensive vehicles will now have more ways to find out when the vehicle they’re considering has previously been significantly damaged or deemed a total loss by an insurance company.

This updated law aims to solve an issue of less expensive vehicles holding a clean Minnesota title despite incurring damage that cost more than 80 percent of its value or causes an insurance company to declare the vehicle a total loss.

Also starting on the first of the year, Minnesota’s minimum wage will increase to reflect inflation.