The National Conference of State Legislatures is reporting that nearly 40,000 bills and resolutions were approved by state lawmakers in 2013, all of which are going into effect in 2014.

To follow are a few of the more interesting new laws:

•    Oregon will allow mothers to take their placentas home after giving birth. Previously forbidden because they were considered to be hazardous waste, some believe consuming placentas have health benefits.

•    Oregon is also making it illegal for a parent to smoke in a car if children are present.

•    It is now illegal for police in Illinois to use a surveillance drone in most cases without a warrant.

•    California now requires websites to tell users how they track and share personal information.

•    California is also allowing students to use participate in school athletic programs and use school bathrooms “consistent with their gender identity,” regardless of their birth gender.

•    Residents of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island and California will see a hike in the minimum wage this year.

•     Beginning January 1, minors in Illinois and California will no longer be permitted to use tanning beds.

•    Colorado is now allowing adults aged 21 and over to purchase one ounce of marijuana for recreational use from a state-licensed retailer.

•    If you live in Arkansas and want to vote in the 2014 elections, you will now need a photo ID to do so.

•    Stalking victims and their families in Texas will now be permitted to terminate a lease and move without suffering financial penalties.

Perhaps the best known laws to go into effect on New Year's Day are those concerning the Affordable Care Act which require insurance policies purchased on health exchanges to take effect. Expanded Medicaid coverage also began yesterday.

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