D.C. Workers Get Raise as New Laws Take Effect Across Washington Region

July 1, 2026

Multiple jurisdictions in the DMV region are implementing significant legislative changes effective July 1st. Washington D.C. is raising its minimum wage to $18. 40 per hour as part of an inflation-tied increase under a 2016 law, while Montgomery County is also boosting minimum wages based on employer size.

Who is affected

Minimum wage workers in Washington D.C. and Montgomery County
Tipped employees in D.C.
Drivers and motorists in Maryland
Maryland public school students (future implementation)
College students in Maryland receiving housing assistance
Approximately 100,000 individuals with misdemeanor conviction records in Virginia
Repeat reckless drivers and excessive speeders in Virginia
Food vendors using Styrofoam containers in Virginia
Renters in Virginia
Workers vulnerable to immigration-related threats in Virginia
Virginia residents seeking contraception and insurance coverage

What action is being taken

D.C. is increasing minimum wage from $17.95 to $18.40 per hour and tipped worker base wage from $10.00 to $10.30 per hour
Montgomery County is raising minimum wages to at least $15.95 per hour for small business employees
Maryland is increasing gasoline tax to 46.6 cents per gallon and diesel tax to 47.5 cents per gallon
Virginia is automatically sealing eligible misdemeanor conviction records and allowing petitions to seal certain felony records
Virginia is completing its statewide phaseout of Styrofoam food containers
Virginia is implementing new worker protections against immigration-status threats related to wage complaints

Why it matters

These changes address fundamental economic justice and quality of life issues across the region. The minimum wage increases help workers keep pace with inflation and the high cost of living in the DMV area, particularly important given that federal minimum wage remains at $7.25. Virginia's Clean Slate law represents a major criminal justice reform that will remove barriers to employment, housing, and education for individuals with minor criminal histories, potentially transforming lives for one-third of Americans affected by criminal records. The worker protections against immigration-related threats ensure vulnerable populations can report wage theft without fear of retaliation, while new renter protections and contraception rights expand fundamental access to housing stability and reproductive healthcare.

What's next

Maryland public schools must adopt bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions by the 2027-28 school year
Maryland colleges and universities must implement plans for free menstrual hygiene products at campus health centers by August 1, 2028
Virginia individuals with certain low-level felony convictions can petition courts to seal records after remaining crime-free for at least 10 years

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer