Starting July 1, new laws go into effect in Virginia, Maryland and the District.

WASHINGTON — Starting July 1, new laws go into effect in Virginia, Maryland and the District. The regulations include rules about social media, drones, transportation, and wages.

In Virginia:

Employers cannot require workers or job applicants to disclose their social media usernames or passwords. They can’t force employees to friend them on Facebook either.

Police must obtain a warrant before using drones in an investigation.

Uber, Lyft and other transportation network companies must conduct criminal and sex offender background checks on all drivers, including a driving history report. The ride-sharing companies also must pay a $100,000 licensing fee up front and $60,000 annually to renew their licenses.

Colleges must report sexual violence to law enforcement when an investigation begins and make a note on the transcripts of students who are suspended or expelled for those crimes.

VRE fares are higher. Some riders will pay up to 45 cents more per trip.

Drivers can cross the double yellow lines to pass pedestrians and cyclists. But drivers can get a ticket for following bicycles, motorized wheelchairs or other non-cars too closely.

Virginia now grants civil immunity to anyone who breaks into a car to help save a child as long as the person has tried to call 911.

Mothers can now breast-feed in public.

Restaurants will now be required to follow training standards on food allergy awareness and safety.

Veterans can get credit for military training courses that relate to their college coursework requirements.

In Maryland:

• Drivers will pay lower tolls on state roads and bridges. The $6 cash toll to cross the Bay Bridge will drop to $4. The discount for E-Zpass holders will increase from 10 percent to 25 percent for the Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels, the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge.

• The so-called “rain tax” has been repealed.

• The gas tax will increase from 2 percent to 3 percent, about 2 cents per gallon more.

• The state will study the risks and benefits of drones.

• Ridesharing companies like Uber will be regulated by the Maryland Public Service Commission. Drivers will be required to be fingerprinted.

• The minimum wage increases to $8.25 from $8. It is set to go up again to $8.75 in 2016 and $9.25 in 2017. It is scheduled to reach $10.10 in 2018.

• MTA commuter bus routes expands in Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County and the District.

In D.C.:

• The minimum wage becomes one of the highest in the nation: $10.50. Next July, it will rise to $11.50.

WTOP’s Max Smith contributed to this report.