Hawkeye Reporter

Hundreds of new state laws took effect across the nation this week, including minimum wage increases, new internet privacy rules, gun-related regulations, marijuana legalization and new tests on whether workers can be classified as independent contractors.

In the area of gun regulations, Colorado, Hawaii and Nevada have joined other states in enacting so-called red-flag laws, which allow courts to take away firearms from people designated a danger to communities or themselves. And Illinois became to most recent state to legalize recreational use of marijuana.

In Iowa, local police agencies will be required to follow federal directives to hold jailed people suspected of being in the nation illegally, according to media reports. And drivers who come upon emergency vehicles on the side of a roadway will have to give the vehicles a wide berth or reduce speeds under another new law.