After the fireworks fizzled out and the last bits of confetti were swept off the carpet on New Year’s Eve, most Tennesseans returned to their daily jobs in cubicles, furnished office desks, construction sites, restaurant kitchens and courtrooms.

In addition to a return to the 9-to-5 grind, citizens of the Volunteer State can also count on a crop of new legislation that will impact healthcare, education and business in 2015.

Here is a summary of a few Tennessee laws that took effect on Jan. 1:

1.) Conference attendance as new requirement for welfare eligibility – This law requires the parents or guardian of a struggling child to attend a minimum of one conference with an instructor, followed by meetings with the teacher to discuss the student’s progress throughout the year to receive welfare eligibility. Controversial due to the link between academic performance and welfare, the law represents another measure meant to analyze welfare recipients.

Tennessee and 18 other states also proposed legislation in 2014 that would require screening and drug tests for potential welfare recipients. Tennessee began this drug-testing program as early as July 2014 with plans to carry on the procedure into the new year.

2.) Employment certification available for ex-felons– Individuals with criminal records who seek employment must demonstrate reliability under this new law, creating more attractive opportunities for ex-felons to reenter their respective communities. Such a certificate includes a work history and personal references that indicate a component candidate. Lawmakers maintain that this official documentation prevents employers from refusing to hire an ex-felon because of their criminal history.

Those individuals interested in acquiring a certificate of ’employabililty’ can apply at their local courthouse.

3.) Insulin administration by trained school employees allowed – Sponsored by Sen. Steven Dickerson, a vice-chair of the Senate Education Committee, this law will allow employees in Tennessee schools to assist in insulin administration for diabetic students once given proper training. The law aims to buffer health risks for Tennessee students by providing more expansive care for their needs within an educational atmosphere. The American Diabetes Association estimates that there are 215,000 children with diabetes in the United States, bolstering the law’s relevance as a preventive measure against diabetes and obesity-related illnesses in adulthood.

The ADA cites Advocacy Chairs Chris Karo (Nashville) and Dan Moore (Knoxville) as key voices in passing Senate Bill 1445.