Gov. Josh Shapiro signs 16 new laws in Pennsylvania
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Governor Josh Shapiro announced the signing of 16 bills into Pennsylvania law on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
The new laws cover various topics including healthcare, licensing, crime and horse racing.
House Bill 155 , introduced by Rep. Benjamin Sanchez (D-Montgomery County), looked to address the healthcare workforce shortage. The Department of Labor estimates Pennsylvania will need 45,000 workers in the next few years, according to Sanchez.
As a way to address this issue, the new law will work towards making the hiring process easier by "removing the requirement that face-to-face interviews are conducted in person." Now that interviews can be conducted using video, legislators anticipate that candidates will be able to face new career opportunities.
House Bill 1730 , introduced and sponsored by over 15 legislators, aims to ease restrictions on municipalities that take ownership of cemeteries. To do this, the law amended the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act of 1980.
The law previously provided exceptions for religious congregations, fraternal and non-profit organizations. HB 1730 called for municipalities also to be included.
House Bill 1820 , introduced by Rep. Donna Bullock (D-Philadelphia), looked to separate natural hair braiding and cosmetology. While one must be licensed in Pennsylvania to be a cosmetologist, Bullock wrote in her bill that natural hair braiding is a practice passed down from generations.
The new law now exempts braiders from having to obtain a cosmetology license.
House Bill 2084 , introduced by Rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery), created a license for virtual manufacturers as a way to bring new businesses to Pennsylvania. While virtual manufacturing is necessary, Briggs wrote, Pennsylvania does not have licenses for companies.
The new law provides a category for these manufacturers looking to enter the industry in Pennsylvania.
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Healthcare and coverage
House Bill 2127 , introduced by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia), looks to expand the screening and care for postpartum depression. Before the law was passed, there was what Fiedler called "insufficient screening and care."
The new law will work to establish a "free-standing act" known as the Prenatal and Postpartum Counseling and Screening Act. The act will require all prenatal and postnatal clinicians to distribute information, with the goal of increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and how to seek treatment.
House Bill 2268 , introduced by Rep. Brandon Markosek (D-Allegheny County), called on insurance companies to provide adequate coverage for treatment. Stuttering impacts 70 million people globally and around 3 million Americans, according to Markosek's memo.
The new law now allows children with a stutter and adults who have suffered a neurological trauma to receive "much needed" insurance coverage for speech therapy treatment.
Senate Bill 668 , introduced by Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin), amends the Health Care Facilities Act. Under the new law, the Department of Health will establish a medication aide training program that "includes a maximum of eight hours" of classroom training.
The training also must be conducted by an approved trainer and utilize the state-approved written curriculum and examination. Renewal is required every 24 months.
Senate Bill 840 , introduced by Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-Lackawanna, Monroe and Wayne), looks to create a permanent Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) Division and establish a committee.
The division will focus on policy advocation, securing of federal funds, leveraging additional resources and state plan implementation.
House Bill 2266 , introduced by Rep. Kathleen Tomlinson (R-Bucks County), emphasized the importance of cracking down on street racing. Previously, although Title 75 had a crime for street racing, Tomlinson believed there to be a need for an update to the law.
Now, the law calls for a $2,000 fine instead of the previous $250. On the second violation, the driver's vehicle will be taken away to deter them from using it in racing again. Organizers are also now held accountable as well.
House Bill 2561 , introduced by Rep. Kristine Howard (D-Chester), allows for the expansion of the Federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 until Oct. 2028.
The act regulates thoroughbred racing throughout the United States and overrules state laws about certain aspects of horse racing.
Crimes, offenses and Judicial Procedure
House Bill 1700 , introduced by Rep. MaryLouise Isaacson (D-Philadelphia), amends Title 18, Crimes and Offenses, of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The new law provides further definitions for Federal Judicial Officer.
Senate Bill 169 and 170 , introduced by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming), amends Title 42, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
The new law adds new measures to the Juvenile Justice Task Force Report, some including standardizing the expungement process, shortening the timeline for expungement eligibility in certain cases, setting a state reimbursement rate for county juvenile defense expenses and authorizing state payments to counties providing alternative services for juveniles.
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Department of Education, boroughs and deeds
House Bill 2383 , introduced by Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia), looks to create a program that will establish a certified list of retired volunteers who would be willing to share life lessons, experience and hobbies with junior and high school students.
Senate Bill 765 , introduced by Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), makes changes to the Borough Code. The legislation amends four sections of the code which will provide for further consistency, autonomy and flexibility.
House Bill 269 , introduced by Rep. Joe Webster (D-Montgomery), makes DD-214s inaccessible to anyone other than a veteran or an immediate family member or authorized agent of the veteran for 85 instead of the previous 75.
