State Laws & State Data On...

Many ProCon.org websites feature state laws and state-specific research on the issues they cover. We have listed and linked to our state laws and related state resources below.

1.	CONCEALED GUNS - Concealed Carry Permit Laws by State - Map and text showing the concealed carry permit laws by state and US territory.

2.	DEATH PENALTY - State Death Penalty Laws - Includes a timeline of state death penalty laws from 1972 to present, a history of death penalty laws by state, and a listing of states that authorize the death penalty for crimes other than murder.

3.	DRINKING AGE - 45 States That Allow Underage (under 21) Alcohol Consumption - This resource explores the eight different exceptions to the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) of 21 and presents a state-by-state guide to underage alcohol consumption laws and exceptions.

4.	EUTHANASIA - State-by-State Guide to Physician-Assisted Suicide - This resource provides information about the states that have legalized physician-assisted suicide, as well details about the laws in states where physician-assisted suicide remains illegal.

5.	FELON VOTING - State Felon Voting Laws - Our chart provides links to each state's laws on felon voting and places each US state within one of five categories ranging from harshest (may lose vote permanently) to least restrictive (may vote while in prison). Applications for re-enfranchisement and clemency have been provided for the states which require them.

6.	GAY MARRIAGE - Legal Gay Marriage States Page - See which states had already legalized or banned gay marriage before the US Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal nationwide. Also learn when and how they did so.

7.	ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - Demographics of Immigrants in the United States Illegally - This chart details countries of origin, states of residence, age, gender, and jobs held for undocumented immigrations from 2000-present. 10 States (and DC) That Allow Driver's Licenses for People in the Country Illegally - Beginning in 1993 with Washington state, at least 10 states and DC have changed their laws to allow immigrants in the country illegally to obtain driver's licenses.

8.	MEDICAL MARIJUANA - Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC – This popular chart shows state laws, fees, and possessions limits for marijuana in states where it has been legalized for medical use. States with Pending Legislation to Legalize Medical Marijuana - This chart tracks state legislation on medical marijuana and CBD bills.

9.	MILK - Raw Milk Laws State by State - This chart shows which states permit retail sales, on-farm sales, and "cow-share" agreements for raw milk, and which states altogether ban raw milk. At the federal level, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bans the interstate sale or distribution of raw milk.

10.	OBESITY - US Obesity Levels, 1990-2013 - This chart shows rate of obesity by state over time and includes a ranking of state populations from most obese to least obese.

11.	PROSTITUTION - US Federal and State Prostitution Laws and Related Punishments - Prostitution is illegal in the United States with the exception of 11 Nevada counties. US and State Prostitution Arrests, 2001-2010 - Includes a ranking of the Top 10 states, by percentage of population and by total number, where people are arrested for prostitution.

12.	"UNDER GOD" IN THE PLEDGE - References to "God" in State Constitutions - All 50 state constitutions refer to "God" or some higher power. 43 states feature these religious references in the Preamble (introductory clause of explanation) of their constitution. The seven remaining states refer to "God" in their religious freedom provisions.

13.	VACCINES - State Vaccination Exemptions for Children Entering Public Schools - No US federal vaccination laws exist, but all 50 states have laws requiring children to be vaccinated as well as exemptions to those laws. See which states have which exemptions for which vaccines. State-by-State: Vaccinations Required for Public School Kindergarten - Each state (and DC) has its own vaccine requirements to attend public school. This chart details which vaccines are mandated for public school kindergarten entry (as of Aug. 22, 2014) and linked to each state name is a PDF with specific state vaccine requirements for kindergarten as well as vaccine requirements for other grades and, sometimes, college attendance.

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