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New business laws taking effect January 1, 2027: what to change and the fines
Quick answer
On January 1, 2027, four state laws change small-business paperwork. Illinois prices must include every mandatory fee (up to $50,000 per violation) and job posts can only require a driver's license with a stated reason (up to $1,500 every 30 days). California ads with AI-made people need a disclosure. Colorado rental applications need a screening notice.
Each fact links to the official text. Not legal advice.
January 1, 2027 laws at a glance
| Law | Who it hits | What changes | Penalty | Official text |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois all-in pricing, 815 ILCS 505/2MMMM (HB 228) | Any business advertising prices in Illinois, including restaurants | Advertised, displayed or offered prices must include every mandatory fee; taxes and actual shipping may be added | Up to $50,000, or $50,000 per violation with intent to defraud (815 ILCS 505/7) | Public Act 104-0472 |
| Illinois driver's-license job posts, 820 ILCS 75/17 (HB 4758) | Employers with 15+ employees and employment agencies | No "driver's license required" unless driving is essential and a business necessity, and the post says why | Warning, then up to $500, then $1,500, then $1,500 every 30 days (820 ILCS 75/20) | HB 4758 enrolled |
| California AI performer ad disclosure, B&P Code §17610 (SB 1050) | Anyone who creates and publishes ads in California featuring an AI-made human-like performer | A clear disclosure that the ad features a synthetic performer | False advertising under §17500; enforceable under the Unfair Competition Law | SB 1050 text |
| Colorado rental application screening notice, HB26-1196 | Colorado residential landlords taking applications | Application must list data checked, factors weighed and any named screening company; redact personal data in eviction filings | The Act states no separate fine | Session law, Ch. 326 |
Illinois: every price must be the all-in price
From January 1, 2027, an Illinois business may not advertise, display or offer a price that leaves out a mandatory fee or surcharge. Government taxes and actual shipping can be added. Restaurants, bars and hotels can keep a clearly disclosed automatic gratuity. A violation is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act. Read the Illinois hidden fees guide.
Add fees to menus or quotes? The Illinois hidden fees and all-in price kit ($49) has a mandatory-fee worksheet, menu and gratuity wording and an all-in price spreadsheet.
Illinois: driver's license requirements in job posts
Employers with 15 or more employees and employment agencies must audit every posting that says a valid driver's license is required. Keep it only when driving is an essential function and a business necessity, and add a short reason. The Illinois Department of Labor enforces it. Read the driver's-license job posting guide.
Hiring in Illinois? The Illinois driver's license job posting kit ($49) helps you audit live postings and word the reason.
California: disclose AI-generated performers in ads
Business and Professions Code §17610 defines a synthetic performer as a digital figure, voice or representation made in whole or part with generative AI that gives the realistic impression of a human performer. Ads that prominently feature one need a clear disclosure. New York has a similar rule (GBL §396-b). Read the California AI ad disclosure guide.
Run AI-avatar or AI-voice ads? The AI synthetic performer ad disclosure kit ($49) has disclosure wording variants, a checklist built from the statute's tests and an ad inventory log.
Colorado: screening notice on rental applications
Every Colorado residential rental application must say what data the landlord will try to access, which factors count (such as credit, rental history, income and criminal background if used) and whether a named third-party screening service is used. Read the Colorado screening notice guide.
Take rental applications in Colorado? The Colorado rental application screening kit ($49) has an editable screening notice and an eviction PII redaction checklist.
Also check
- Illinois rental fees: also start January 1, 2027. HB 5234 (Public Act 104-0514), signed June 26, 2026, moved Public Act 104-0479 from July 1, 2026. Every non-optional fee goes on page 1 of the lease and 11 fees are banned. See the Illinois rental fee guide or the Illinois rental fee kit ($49).
- Delaware pay ranges: later in 2027 (September 26, 2027). See the Delaware pay transparency guide.
- Other states and cities have their own January 1 changes. Check your state legislature's list of new laws.
Frequently asked questions
What new business laws take effect January 1, 2027?
Four state laws with Astor Ventures guides: Illinois all-in pricing (815 ILCS 505/2MMMM, Public Act 104-0472), Illinois driver's-license job posting limits (820 ILCS 75/17, HB 4758), California AI synthetic performer ad disclosure (Bus. & Prof. Code §17610, SB 1050) and the Colorado rental application screening notice (HB26-1196, C.R.S. §38-12-904(1.7)). Other states and cities have their own January 1 changes; check your state legislature too.
Which January 2027 law has the biggest fine?
The Illinois all-in pricing law. A violation is an unlawful practice under the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, with civil penalties up to $50,000, or $50,000 per violation if there is intent to defraud (815 ILCS 505/7).
What paperwork do Illinois employers have to change by January 1, 2027?
Employers with 15 or more employees and employment agencies must remove 'valid driver's license required' from job posts unless driving is an essential function and a business necessity, and then say why in the post (820 ILCS 75/17). After a first written warning, fines run up to $500, then up to $1,500, then up to $1,500 for every 30 days without compliance (820 ILCS 75/20).
Do California ads with AI-generated people need a disclosure in 2027?
Yes, from January 1, 2027. Bus. & Prof. Code §17610 (SB 1050, Chapter 246, Statutes of 2026) requires a clear disclosure in ads that prominently feature a synthetic performer. A violation is false advertising under §17500 and can be enforced under the Unfair Competition Law.
What must a Colorado rental application say from January 1, 2027?
It must tell applicants what data the landlord will try to access, the factors the landlord considers, and whether a named third-party tenant screening service is used (HB26-1196, C.R.S. §38-12-904(1.7)). The enrolled Act states no separate fine for these new duties.
Does the Illinois rental fee law start January 1, 2027?
Yes. January 1, 2027. HB 5234 (Public Act 104-0514), signed and effective June 26, 2026, moved the start date of Public Act 104-0479 (HB 3564) from July 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027. The law applies to residential leases entered into after that date.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information based on the enacted text of each law. It is not legal advice. For your situation, ask a licensed attorney in that state.
Official sources
- Public Act 104-0472 (HB 228), 815 ILCS 505/2MMMM (ilga.gov)
- HB 4758 enrolled, 820 ILCS 75/17 (ilga.gov)
- 820 ILCS 75/20 penalties (ilga.gov)
- SB 1050, Bus. & Prof. Code §17610 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
- HB26-1196, Session Laws of Colorado 2026, Ch. 326 (leg.colorado.gov)
- Public Act 104-0479 (HB 3564) (ilga.gov)
Who wrote this and how it was checked
Written and maintained by Astor Ventures. We publish template kits built from public law; we are not a law firm, and no attorney has reviewed this page.
- Last verified: each fact comes from the linked Astor guide, verified against the official text between and .
- Next scheduled check: before January 1, 2027.
- Found an error? Email [email protected] and we will correct the page.