A host of new laws across all 50 states will go into effect in January, including an illegal immigration crackdown in Pennsylvania, a ban on late-term abortions in New Hampshire and a requirement for many school staff in California to report suspected sexual abuse.

Headlines in Colorado, however, will likely be more focused on laws in the making, because the state’s six new measures slated to go into effect on Jan. 1 are relatively innocuous.

After Jan. 1, ballot questions on state initiatives and amendments to the Constitution will read either “change to the Colorado Revised Statutes” or “amendment to the Colorado constitution,” and instead of just marking “yes” or “no,” voters’ choices will be “YES/FOR” or “NO/AGAINST.”

Also beginning in January, retailers of portable electronics will be required to obtain a license to sell or offer insurance on their goods.

And the state geologist’s office will be transferred from the Department of Natural Resources to the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.

Other new January laws include changes to regulations on charitable solicitations, unit owners’ associations and health care billing for anatomical pathology services.

Five other new laws will go into effect later in 2013.

Other states, meanwhile, have more exciting changes. A few highlights:

• Same-sex marriage will become legal in Maryland in January and in Maine on Saturday.

• Pennsylvania will require that contractors on public works projects use the E-Verify system to confirm employees’ citizenship, and Montana will withhold state services from illegal immigrants.

• New Hampshire will enact a ban on “partial birth abortions,” and Montana will require parental notification for any minor who has an abortion.

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Contact John Schroyer: 476-4825

Twitter: @Johnschroyer

Facebook: Gazette John Schroyer

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MORE ABOUT THE CHANGES IN OTHER STATES

• New laws address children, immigration, gays.

Mary Davidson, 27, left, and Monica Rozgay, 29, smile after saying ‘I do’ at their midnight wedding at The Seattle Yacht Club early Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Rozgay and Davidson, of Seattle, are one of the first couples to wed following the passage of Referendum 74, which approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state of Washington. Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Secretary of State Sam Reed certified the election results of the referendum on Dec. 5. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Bettina Hansen) Photo by

Newlyweds Corianton Hale, left, and Keith Bacon raise their arms in celebration after marrying at Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings f Photo by

Cindy Ogasawara stands with other well-wishers greeting newly married couples as they depart Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5, and weddings for g Photo by