The new rule for the layback spin is that eight revolutions must be completed in the back and/or sideways layout position before going into the Biellmann position for the Biellmann position to count towards raising the level of the spin.
Regarding holding a spiral position for three seconds, I don't remember that being a problem for Slutskaya at all. The issue (for me, clearly not for the judges) was that she didn't establish a solid edge until after her leg had hit the final overhead position, but that isn't covered by the new rule. If anything, this could be called the "Kwan Rule," because in qualis, she didn't hold the side stretch position for three seconds. Or the "Cohen Rule," because in one of the programs she shorted the side split position when she ran out of blade speed. The moral seems to be, don't try a position unless you can hold it for 3 seconds.
There's a new rule that says every position in a combo spin has to be held for a minimum of two revolutions. This applies to some of Slutskaya's spins where on the second side the full Biellmann position is shorted revolutions, but it would apply to most of the Biellmann attempts I saw in Moscow, where at least one revolution is spent going in and out of position, particularly in the "open" Biellmanns. The only current skater I've never seen do this is Daria Timoshenko.
Pairs are now going to get a 1.1 factor for jumps and throws performed in the second half of the program. There also seems to be a Zayak rule for pairs, if I'm reading the following correctly on page 7:
All jumps executed with more than 2 revolutions (Double Axel and all triple and quadruple jumps) must be of different nature (different name). However the jump combination or sequence can contain two same such jumps.
I read that as, it's okay to do 3T SEQ 3T or 3T+2T, but not a 3T for the solo jump. If this is a correct reading, it means some pairs will have to up the ante to a second triple or go back to a 2A in sequence.
There's also a L4 twist lift, and a number of requirements for determining lift level: examples: if a change of hand-hold for the man isn't held for at least one revolution or a woman's change of body position doesn't change the balance of the lift, it doesn't count towards difficulty. Also, if a man does a series of one-handed positions for less than one rotation each, only one counts towards increasing difficulty.
They've defined that for death spirals, the man has to be pivoting on the pick and in a bent-knee position, and that the position must be entirely supported by the man's outstretched arm and the woman's blade edge, with no other support. Additional revolutions that meet the criteria will count towards higher levels of difficulty.
For jump sequences, a ban on stroking as well as cross-overs between jumps has been added.
For pairs spirals, the new rules are pushing toward balance between the partners. Each partner must do at least two spiral positions (held three seconds each) to get higher than Level 1. Moves in the field have been removed from positions that count towards spirals.
For step sequences for singles and pairs, the difficulty is supposed to be balanced throughout the sequence. (Presumably this means not front-loaded.) For pairs, switching positions and adding holds can increase difficulty.
The new fall definition for dance also appolies to singles and pairs: both blades leave the ice, both hands are down, one hand and one knee are down or part of the body core is on the ice. (So sitting with both blades on the ice will count as a fall next year.)
The referee is now like an exam proctor, and is responsible for checking the judges to be sure they don't have crib notes or look at each others marks. (Or, presumably, tap dance.)
Many of these rules seem to emphasize holding positions instead of throwing in the kitchen sink for quick flashes. That should help the callers see more clearly and decrease the chances of inconsistencies for levelling for the same element across competitions.
