Many of the bills that passed the General Assembly this year take effect today.

Why it matters: You can't obey these new laws if you don't know them.

State of play: Here are some of the ones most likely to affect you.

Employment and work

🤑 Employers must now include salary ranges in job postings — and it's illegal for them to ask applicants about their salary history.

💸 Virginians' maximum unemployment benefits are now $478 a week, up from $430. Minimum benefits also rise to $160, up from $112.

🚫 Noncompete agreements can't be enforced unless employees laid off without cause are given severance pay.

Rent and housing

✍🏻 Landlords have to accept checks and money orders for rent and deposit payments, in addition to online methods.

📆 Landlords have to wait 14 days to start the eviction process for nonpayment, up from five.

Cars and driving

📵 It's now illegal to livestream and drive.

🛑 Localities can now use automated monitoring systems like the ones they use for speeding to enforce stop sign and crosswalk violations.

🏎️ Instead of a license suspension, some drivers convicted of going 100 mph or more over the speed limit will be required to install an Intelligent Speed Assistance device that limits their speed.

Criminal justice

⚖️ Some misdemeanor convictions, like marijuana possession or disorderly conduct, will be automatically sealed from public view, and people with minor felony convictions can petition the court to have theirs sealed.

Food and drink

🍴 Styrofoam containers are now illegal for all food vendors and restaurants to use.

🥡 Delivery and carryout food must say on the packaging if the dish was modified for a food allergy or sensitivity, like gluten-free or no dairy.

What we're watching: A federal judge yesterday temporarily blocked Virginia from enforcing its new law against federal law enforcement officers.

• The law, which the Justice Department is challenging, generally bans officers from wearing masks and face coverings while on duty.

More new laws, including cyber stalking and wage garnishment

Virginia's assault weapons ban takes effect today, but two court injunctions have thrown enforcement into question as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to weigh in on similar bans.

Why it matters: The controversial legislation has resulted in lawsuits, confusion among gun owners and gun sales spiking.

• As of yesterday, officials hadn't publicly explained whether the injunctions affect enforcement statewide.

Virginia State Police, the governor and the attorney general didn't respond to Axios.

• But Frank LaRuffa, Chesterfield's chief deputy Commonwealth's attorney, tells Axios the latest court order — which names the county — bars his office from prosecuting violations of the ban.
• Asked if the ruling applies statewide, as the NRA claims it does, he said: "Not sure."

Catch up quick: The law bans the sale and transfer of many semiautomatic firearms holding over 15 rounds, but lets current owners keep them and exempts certain hunting shotguns.

• After Gov. Spanberger signed the bill in May, gun rights groups sued in state and federal court, saying it violates the Second Amendment and Virginia's constitution.

The latest: Judges in Lancaster and Washington counties recently issued separate injunctions blocking enforcement.

• The Washington County ruling Monday applies to VSP and several localities, including Chesterfield, per Courthouse News.
• Attorney General Jay Jones has said the state will appeal.

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🛑 Richmond is expanding its red-light camera program again to three additional intersections, starting today with a 30-day warning period at Hull Street and East Boulevard. (News release)

• Two more will go live this summer at German School Road and Midlo Turnpike and Mechanicsville Turnpike and Fairfield Way.
• Since first going live in January, the program has issued nearly 30,000 warnings and citations across seven intersections.

🗳️ Opponents of Richmond's zoning code rewrite are launching a petition to put a 2027 ballot measure before voters that would require residents to approve future major rezonings. (The Richmonder)

• Yes, but: That requires changing the city's charter, which only the state legislature can do.

🏔️ Maine's National Guard rescued two Richmond-area climbers on Mt. Katahdin after thunderstorms left them stranded and hypothermic. (WMTW)

If you're looking for ways to stay cool during this brutally hot week, we've got you covered.

Zoom in: Here are some ways you can beat the heat and have fun.

🛝 Slide into a Glen Allen water park

Cobblestones Water Park in Glen Allen has five water slides feeding into its two swimming pools, including a tube slide, corkscrew and "crazy river."

• Tickets are $18 on weekdays, $20 on weekends, $85 for a season's pass.

👙 Make it a family day

Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield has its toddler pool, three-foot and five-foot deep leisure pools, two water slides and a splash pad.

• Adult tickets start at $8. Kids: $7.

🤿 Dive into a pool

The city has seven free outdoor pools, including three — Battery Park, Blackwell and Randolph — that now have "adult swim" hours.

• You can also rent one by the hour through pool-sharing company Swimply.

Full list

Trolley Car Sweets and Treats, the Scandinavian candy shop that took over the former Idle Hands space, opens today on Strawberry Street.

Why it matters: We got a sneak peek inside, where roughly 100 Swedish and Scandinavian candies — like gummies, marshmallows and licorice — line the shelves.

What to expect: A pick-and-mix format that lets customers build their own bag like a self-serve candy bar.

• Payment is priced by weight ($1.25 per ounce or $20 per pound).
• And there are 7,000 pounds of candy inside the store, co-owner Nikki Horsfall tells Axios.

If you go: Trolley Car's soft opening hours will be today, noon-4pm; Thursday-Saturday, 2-8pm; and Sunday, noon-6pm.

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