State-by-State Comparison Tables

Compare minimum wage rates, tipped employee wages, and effective dates across all 50 states. See which states exceed the federal minimum and which follow it.

See which at-will employment exceptions each state recognizes, including implied contract, good faith and fair dealing, and public policy exceptions.

Compare self-defense laws including Stand Your Ground, Duty to Retreat, and Castle Doctrine provisions with statute citations for all 50 states.

Compare DUI/DWI penalties for first, second, and third offenses including jail time, fines, license suspension, and BAC limits across all 50 states.

Track cannabis legalization status across all 50 states including recreational, medical, decriminalization status, possession limits, and home grow rules.

Compare divorce laws including no-fault availability, waiting periods, property division methods (community property vs. equitable distribution), and residency requirements.

Compare eviction notice requirements and court process timelines for nonpayment of rent and lease violations across all 50 states.

Compare statute of limitations periods (in years) for personal injury, contracts, property damage, and fraud claims across all 50 states.

Compare child support calculation models, age of termination, and deviation factors across all 50 states.

Compare concealed carry permit requirements including permitless carry, shall issue vs. may issue, open carry laws, and reciprocity across all 50 states.

Compare top income tax rates, number of brackets, and tax type (flat, graduated, or none) across all 50 states.

Compare state sales tax rates, average local rates, combined rates, and grocery tax exemptions across all 50 states.

Compare effective property tax rates, median home values, and median annual property tax paid across all 50 states.

Compare jury duty daily pay rates, expected length of service, and employer pay requirements across all 50 states.

Compare age of consent, close-in-age (Romeo and Juliet) exemptions, and key statutory references across all 50 states.

Compare right-to-work status, year enacted, and key provisions affecting union membership requirements across all 50 states.

Compare death penalty status (active, moratorium, or abolished), year of most recent change, and execution method across all 50 states.

Compare speeding ticket fine ranges for 10 over, 20 over, and 30+ over the limit, plus reckless driving thresholds across all 50 states.

Compare dog bite liability rules (strict liability, one-bite, or mixed), applicable statutes, and key exceptions across all 50 states.

Compare lemon law time limits, mileage limits, required repair attempts, and available remedies across all 50 states.

Compare non-compete agreement enforceability status (enforceable, banned, or limited) and key restrictions across all 50 states.

Compare which states recognize common law marriage, whether existing marriages are grandfathered, and specific requirements across all 50 states.

Compare adverse possession requirements including years required, conditions for claiming, and color of title provisions across all 50 states.

Compare maximum security deposit limits, return deadlines, and penalty provisions for landlords across all 50 states.

Compare HOA disclosure requirements, homeowner meeting rights, and fine limit provisions across all 50 states.

Compare notary public bond amounts, education requirements, commission terms, and maximum fees across all 50 states.

Compare Sunday sales rules, open container laws, and happy hour ban status across all 50 states.

Compare casino legality, sports betting status, online gambling availability, and minimum gambling age across all 50 states.

Compare motorcycle helmet requirements (universal, partial, or none), age thresholds, and penalties across all 50 states.

Compare handheld phone bans, texting bans, penalties, and novice driver restrictions across all 50 states.

Compare bar exam requirements across all 50 states including UBE adoption, passing scores, testing windows, and character & fitness review processes.

State-by-state comparison of real estate licensing requirements including pre-license education hours, exam format, reciprocity agreements, and renewal obligations.

Compare RN licensing requirements across all 50 states including degree requirements, NCLEX exam, Nurse Licensure Compact membership, and renewal obligations.

State-by-state comparison of teacher certification requirements including degree requirements, required testing, interstate reciprocity, and renewal standards.

Compare LLC formation costs and timelines across all 50 states including filing fees, annual fees, processing times, and online filing availability.

State-by-state comparison of probate procedures including simplified probate thresholds, typical timelines, executor bond requirements, and court filing fees.

Compare workers' compensation benefit levels across all 50 states including wage replacement rates, maximum benefit weeks, waiting periods, and maximum weekly payments.

State-by-state comparison of wage garnishment limits including maximum garnishment percentages, head of household protections, exempt income, and bank levy rules.

Compare adoption requirements across all 50 states including minimum age, residency requirements, home study mandates, and consent provisions.

State-by-state comparison of bail and bond practices including typical misdemeanor and felony bail ranges, bail reform status, and bond premium rates.

Compare minimum auto insurance liability coverage requirements across all 50 states, including bodily injury per person, per accident, and property damage limits.

Compare civil asset forfeiture standards across all 50 states, including burden of proof, conviction requirements, and innocent owner protections.

Compare castle doctrine and stand-your-ground laws across all 50 states, including duty to retreat rules and whether protections extend to vehicles and workplaces.

Compare criminal record expungement and sealing eligibility across all 50 states, including eligible offenses, waiting periods, processes, and fees.

Compare paid family and medical leave programs across all 50 states, including program availability, duration, wage replacement rates, and funding mechanisms.

Compare abortion access laws across all 50 states following the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, including current legal status, gestational limits, and exceptions.

Compare data breach notification requirements across all 50 states, including notification deadlines, attorney general reporting obligations, and penalties.

Compare police body camera laws and policies across all 50 states, including statewide mandates, public records accessibility, and footage retention periods.

Compare Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) or red flag laws across all 50 states, including enactment status, who can petition, order duration, and due process protections.

Compare recreational cannabis laws across all 50 states, including legality, possession limits, home cultivation, retail sales status, and tax rates.

Compare rent control and rent stabilization laws across all 50 states, including statewide laws, local options, preemption status, and coverage details.

Compare voter identification requirements across all 50 states, including type of ID required, accepted forms of identification, and availability of free ID.

Compare felon voting rights restoration policies across all 50 states, including when rights are restored and the process for restoration.

Compare medical aid in dying (physician-assisted death) laws across all 50 states, including legality, year enacted, residency requirements, and waiting periods.

Compare transgender healthcare laws across all 50 states, including restrictions on care for minors, adult access, and insurance coverage mandates.

Compare qualified immunity reform efforts across all 50 states, including whether reform has been enacted, private rights of action, and scope of changes.

Compare juvenile justice age thresholds across all 50 states, including maximum juvenile court age, age of transfer to adult court, and LWOP for juveniles.

Compare sex offender registry requirements across all 50 states, including registration duration, community notification methods, and residency restrictions.

Compare armed teacher and school staff policies across all 50 states, including whether carrying is allowed, training requirements, school board approval, and concealment rules.

Compare mandatory reporter laws for child abuse and neglect across all 50 states, including who must report, penalties for failure, and relevant statute references.

Minimum age to marry with parental consent, without consent, and whether court approval is required for minors. Several states have closed the loophole and banned all marriage under 18.

State-level bicycle helmet requirements for minors, including penalty amounts and whether the requirement is statewide or left to local jurisdictions.

Mandatory rear-facing age, booster seat age/weight requirements, and minimum age to ride in the front seat across all 50 states and DC.

Which consumer fireworks are legal for sale and personal use, sparkler-only states, and the few that maintain a complete ban.

Civil immunity for bystanders rendering medical aid in emergencies, and immunity from drug possession charges when calling 911 for an overdose.

Whether the state requires firearms to be secured to prevent child access (CAP laws), penalty class for violations, and the age threshold for the protected minor.

Which states require hands-free phone use for all drivers, which restrict only novice/teen drivers, and which have no general handheld ban.

Charge classification for leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage, bodily injury, or death.

License suspension length and any criminal penalty for refusing a chemical test (breath/blood/urine) following a lawful DUI arrest.

Whether open and concealed carry of knives is generally permitted, and any maximum blade length restrictions for concealed carry.

Legality of motorcycles riding between lanes of slow or stopped traffic. Lane filtering (at low speeds at stoplights) is a separate, narrower allowance in some states.

Minimum age to purchase lottery tickets, whether online lottery sales are authorized, and participation in multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions.

Whether the state imposes statewide decibel limits on residential noise, designated quiet hours, and vehicle/exhaust noise standards.

Whether the state mandates paid sick leave for private-sector employees, the annual hours required, and exemptions for small employers.

Maximum effective annual percentage rate (APR) on payday loans, the maximum loan amount, and whether loan rollovers (renewals) are permitted.

State-by-state abortion legality after Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health (2022), including gestational limits and statutory exceptions.

Whether beer/wine and distilled spirits may be sold on Sundays for off-premise consumption, and any restaurant-only restrictions.

Minimum required liability coverage for bodily injury per person, per accident, and for property damage.

Misdemeanor and felony thresholds for writing bad (non-sufficient funds) checks, plus available civil penalties for the payee.

Whether public and private employers may ask about criminal history on initial job applications, and when criminal background may first be inquired about.

State requirements (beyond the federal PUMP Act) for employers to provide break time and a private space for nursing employees.

State statute citation, whether cyberbullying (electronic communication) is expressly covered, and whether school personnel must report incidents.

Whether a criminal conviction is required before property may be permanently forfeited, the strength of innocent-owner defenses, and any minimum-value thresholds.

Whether the state ever authorized civil unions or domestic partnerships, the year of recognition, and the conversion path to marriage post-Obergefell (2015).

Whether the state still recognizes common-law marriages contracted within its borders, the elements required, and whether only pre-abolition unions are grandfathered.

State laws banning licensed mental health professionals from practicing sexual orientation/gender identity change efforts (SOCE) on minors and, in some states, vulnerable adults.

Whether home-baked or low-risk foods may be sold direct-to-consumer, the annual sales cap, and whether a permit, license, or food-safety training is required.

State criminal bans on non-consensual sexual deepfakes, election-related deepfakes, and whether victims have a private civil right of action.

Whether DNA samples may be taken upon felony arrest (versus only post-conviction), whether all arrests trigger collection, and whether expungement is automatic if charges are dismissed.

State-level drone regulations supplementing FAA Part 107 rules: state permit requirements, drone-specific privacy/voyeurism statutes, and designated state no-fly or restricted zones.

State-by-state rules on pre-employment and random drug testing for private employers, plus marijuana protections for off-duty use.

Wage discrimination standards including the comparable work test, bans on asking for salary history, and statutory penalties.

Whether the state restricts criminal-history questions on job applications, the conviction lookback period, and exempt positions.

Minimum age requiring a fishing license, free or discounted licenses for seniors, and which species require a license.

Minimum age to become a licensed foster parent, background check requirements, and pre-service training hours.

State regulation of unserialized self-assembled firearms, serialization requirements, and criminal penalties.

Whether grandparents have standing to seek court-ordered visitation, the legal standard, and whether parental cohabitation matters.

Required petition, background check on proposed guardian, and bond requirements for adult guardianship/conservatorship.

First and subsequent offense fines for using a hand-held phone while driving, plus license points.

State-defined Delta-9 THC threshold for legal hemp, status of Delta-8 THC products, and smokable hemp legality.

State-mandated monthly insulin copay limits for state-regulated insurance plans, insurer requirements, and year enacted.

What share of an estate the surviving spouse receives when there is no will, with and without children.

Whether jaywalking is actively ticketed, the typical fine amount, and whether the state has decriminalized mid-block crossing.

Whether the state grants automatic age-based exemptions from jury duty, plus exemptions for caregivers and medical hardship.

Whether a juvenile can be sentenced to life without parole, the eligible offenses, and resentencing rights for prior cases.

Whether kratom is legal, banned, or restricted, and any age restrictions on purchase. KCPA = Kratom Consumer Protection Act.

Minimum age to obtain a learner's driving permit, supervised driving hours required, and adult supervision rules.

Number of witnesses required to execute a valid advance directive/living will, notarization, and statutory form availability.

No-fault auto insurance threshold for tort recovery, mini-tort recovery limits for property damage, and verbal threshold rules.

Whether commercial publication of arrest mug shots is allowed, restrictions imposed, and the right to demand removal.

Legality of syringe service programs, state funding availability, and whether possession of clean syringes is decriminalized.

Whether nurse practitioners can practice independently (Full), require collaborative agreement (Reduced), or physician supervision (Restricted).

Helmet requirements for all-terrain vehicles and off-road vehicles, helmet certification standards, and public road operation rules.

Whether the state requires paid family leave for new fathers, weeks of paid leave, and employer threshold for coverage.

Government ID required for pawn transactions, mandatory hold period before resale, and police reporting requirements.

Whether the state mandates paid menstrual leave for employees, hours allowed, and effective date. No US states currently mandate menstrual leave.

Whether courts apply a best-interest standard for companion animals in divorce, treat pets purely as property, or allow visitation orders.

Whether the state regulates pharmacy benefit managers, requires disclosure of pricing/rebates, and bans anti-steering practices.

Whether automated speed and red-light cameras are permitted, with restrictions on use and locations.

Whether physician non-compete clauses are banned, allowed with limits (duration/geography), and whether buyout provisions are required.

Compares how each state defines a service animal, whether emotional support animals are recognized in housing, and the scope of public access rights.

State-by-state status of laws prohibiting employers from asking about a job candidate's prior compensation.

Coverage and remedies under each state's whistleblower protection statutes for public and private sector employees.

Compares state laws limiting nondisclosure agreements, particularly carve-outs for sexual harassment and whistleblower disclosures.

State requirements for employers to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm employment eligibility.

State minimums for unpaid meal periods and paid rest breaks for adult workers, with penalty-pay provisions.

How quickly employers must issue a final paycheck after termination or voluntary quit, and penalties for late payment.

State-mandated paid sick leave entitlements, accrual rates, and whether unused leave carries over year-to-year.

States that require overtime pay on stricter terms than the federal Fair Labor Standards Act 40-hour weekly threshold.

Which test (ABC, common-law, economic-reality, or IRS 20-factor) each state uses to classify workers as employees or contractors.

Protected classes beyond federal Title VII coverage and the minimum employer size triggering state-law coverage.

Whether commercial alcohol vendors can be held civilly liable for serving visibly intoxicated patrons who later cause injuries.

When a private (non-commercial) host can be sued for furnishing alcohol to a guest who later injures themselves or others.

Statute of limitations for breach-of-warranty claims under each state's adoption of UCC § 2-725 (sale-of-goods warranties).

State limits on what landlords may charge prospective tenants to apply for a rental unit and whether unused fees must be returned.

How much landlords can charge for background, credit, or criminal-history screening, and whether portable reports are required.

Whether each state's family code presumes joint legal/physical custody or equal parenting time, and the standard to rebut the presumption.

Consent requirements for the non-custodial parent, home study waiver availability, and minimum residency periods for stepparent adoption.

Each state's treatment of gestational surrogacy contracts, availability of pre-birth parentage orders, and rules around compensation.

Whether the state still maintains a domestic partnership or civil union registry following Obergefell and the conversion rules.

Whether the state has codified the trustee's power to decant a trust into a new instrument, plus notice and consent requirements.

States that recognize spoken wills, typically limited to soldiers in active service, mariners at sea, or persons in last sickness.

States permitting real estate to pass directly to a named beneficiary outside probate through a recorded TOD or beneficiary deed.

Whether each state allows or limits prepayment penalties in residential mortgages and any first-year prohibition.

Whether the state has a biometric or comprehensive privacy law, a private right of action, and statutory damages for violations.

State legislation mandating that manufacturers provide independent repair shops and consumers with parts, tools, and documentation.

State Do-Not-Call list status, civil penalties per violating call, and whether prior express consent is required for prerecorded calls.

Whether the state has an Anti-SLAPP statute protecting speech, fee-shifting provisions, and the burden plaintiffs must meet to survive a special motion to strike.

Whether the state recognizes a First Amendment right to record police, statutory restrictions like buffer zones, and penalties for interference.

Dollar amount at which retail theft becomes a felony, whether thefts can be aggregated across transactions, and whether prior convictions trigger enhancements.

Whether non-consensual distribution of intimate images is criminalized, whether a civil cause of action exists, and the controlling statute.

Whether the state offers domestic violence, civil harassment, and workplace-specific protective orders.

Damage threshold (as % of vehicle value) triggering a salvage title, availability of a rebuilt title designation, and post-repair inspection requirements.

Whether the state offers a diversion program for minors charged with sexting offenses and whether convictions are exempt from sex-offender registration.

Statutory deadline for testing sexual assault evidence collection kits, public backlog tracking, and controlling statute.

Whether the state requires parental consent for minors to use social media, mandates age verification, and what restrictions apply to teen accounts.

Whether the state protects solar easements, prohibits HOAs from banning rooftop solar, and caps the restrictions HOAs may impose.

Whether the state offers a fast-track squatter removal process, the notice required before removal, and whether criminal trespass is an alternative.

Whether sale or distribution of synthetic urine is prohibited, the penalty for violation, and the drug-testing-evasion context.

Minimum age to receive a tattoo without parental consent, the consent age allowed, and analogous rules for body piercings.

Whether telehealth prescribing is permitted, whether an in-person visit is required first, and the rules governing controlled-substance prescribing via telehealth.

First-offense fine for texting or handheld phone use while driving, subsequent-offense fines, and license point assessments.

Civil or criminal penalty for selling tobacco to persons under 21, and any possession penalty for minors under the federal Tobacco-21 law.

Whether the state has a recreational-use immunity statute, whether a nominal entry fee defeats immunity, and the willful-misconduct exception.

Whether the state allows gender-marker amendment on a birth certificate, whether a court order is required, and whether surgery or medical proof is mandated.

Whether the state permits Class III tribal gaming under IGRA compacts, whether sports betting is authorized at tribal venues, and whether revenue-sharing applies.

Criminal classification for unauthorized practice of law, whether the state bar can enforce administratively, and whether private civil damages are available.

Dormancy period after which bank accounts, wages, and insurance proceeds escheat to the state as unclaimed property.

Whether the state recognizes medical, religious, and personal/philosophical exemptions from required childhood immunizations.

Minimum legal age to purchase vaping products, flavor-ban restrictions, and rules on online sale to consumers.

Whether private property owners may boot vehicles, signage required before booting, and statutory caps on release fees.

Front side window visible light transmission (VLT) percentage limit, back window limit, and availability of medical exemptions for darker tint.

Blade length limits for concealed carry, whether a permit is required, and whether switchblades / automatic knives are allowed.

Whether the state has mandatory minimums for drug offenses, violent felonies, and three-strikes or habitual-offender enhancements.

Whether the state bans smoking in a vehicle with a minor present, the age threshold for the protection, and the typical penalty for violation.

Whether the state charges a first-offense aggravated animal cruelty as a felony, the typical sentencing range, and whether pet-protective orders or ownership bans pass through to convicted abusers.

Whether the state's dueling-specific statute has been repealed, the actual punishment if convicted under dueling or assault law, and whether conviction disqualifies a person from public office.

Whether the state has an ag-gag statute restricting undercover investigations at agricultural operations, current court status of the law, and the criminal or civil penalty for violation.

Whether the state allows Sunday hunting fully, partially, or not at all, the controlling statute or regulation, and notable exceptions such as private land or specific quarry.

Maximum continuous hours a dog may be tethered, additional conditions required (shelter, weather, tether length), and the penalty for violation.

The public access doctrine applied by the state, the boundary line between public and private beach (mean high water, vegetation line, etc.), and how easements for public access are enforced.

Whether the state creates a civil cause of action for drone surveillance, whether overflight is trespass per se, and whether notice or permission is required to fly over private property.

Whether a state-approved rider training course is required, whether a road skills test is required (or waived upon course completion), and the minimum age for a motorcycle license or endorsement.

Whether state registration of an ATV or UTV is required, whether operation on public roads is permitted (and to what extent), and whether helmets are required for riders.

Statutory compensation amount per year of wrongful incarceration, total cap on recovery (if any), and threshold eligibility requirements such as proof of innocence or pardon.

Statutory cap on non-economic or total wrongful death damages, exceptions (medical malpractice only or all cases), and the controlling statute.

The hardship test applied to use or area variance requests, statutory or common-law source of the criteria, and the party bearing the burden of proof.

The governing water rights doctrine (riparian, prior appropriation, or hybrid), whether a permit is required for surface or groundwater withdrawal, and notable variations.

Whether a handgun may be carried concealed in a vehicle (with or without a permit), whether it may be loaded, and whether a locked container or specific storage is required for transport.

The agency or process for obtaining a medical exemption from window tint VLT limits, documentation required from a licensed physician, and whether the exemption is recognized by other states.

Approximate cost of a resident annual hunting license, non-resident annual license, and any senior citizen discount or free license.

Approximate cost of a resident annual fishing license, non-resident annual license, and availability of a lifetime fishing license option.

Statewide dollar threshold for triggering a building permit (or whether it is set by local code), whether owner-occupants may perform their own electrical or plumbing work, and whether final inspection is required.

Approximate number of lower-income occupations subject to state licensing, average education and training hours required, and whether the state has universal license recognition for newcomers.

The initial administrative appeal level when a public records request is denied, the court providing judicial review, and whether attorney fees are recoverable by a prevailing requester.

Whether the state expressly protects the right to breastfeed in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, the penalty for interference, and whether breastfeeding is exempt from public indecency or nudity statutes.

Whether the state has enacted a statewide ban on single-use plastic carryout bags, whether the state has preempted local bag regulation, and whether a paper or reusable bag fee is allowed.

Whether rainwater collection is allowed for residential use, any restrictions on volume or use (potable versus non-potable), and whether a permit is required.

Whether a permitted septic system is required for off-grid wastewater, whether solar power is expressly permitted (versus restricted by HOA or grid-tie requirements), and whether composting toilets are legal as a primary residential system.