14 New Laws Now On The Books In PA: What To Know

HARRISBURG, PA — An array of new bills have been signed into law in Pennsylvania, impacting everything from funding for local townships and the severity of punishment for child sex abuse, to the justice system on the state's military bases.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed 14 bills into law this week, including 9 appropriations bills related to his budget for this year.

“Today I signed into law the first pieces of budget legislation for the next year — ensuring we continue to fund our workers’ compensation system, support our retirees, and process professional licenses and certificates quickly,” Shapiro said in a statement. “This is the first step toward a final budget, and we will continue to have productive conversations and work with the House and Senate in order to get this done.”

Here's a glance at the new legislation and funding.

Second class townships

This bill allows "second class" townships, distinguished from first class townships by their form of government and other nuances, to adopt ordinances with an immediate effective date.

Previously, new ordinances could not go into effect until at least five days after they were passed.

"This simple change will allow for more flexibility for townships and uniformity across our different municipalities," State Rep. Lisa Borowski said.

See House Bill 209 here.

Clearing barriers for school bus drivers

Previously, Pennsylvania law required school bus drivers to pass two separate tests if they wore hearing aids. The second test, officials said, is not needed.

"This electroacoustic analysis test (the second test) is unnecessary and redundant," State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff said in introducing the legislation. "If a person wearing a hearing aid can pass a hearing test, their hearing aid is obviously functioning properly."

Benninghoff's bill notes the ongoing shortage of school bus drivers in the state, citing the double testing as a "regulatory barrier."

"My legislation would lessen the burden on school bus drivers with hearing aids alongside audiologists who would no longer have to go through the cumbersome process to administer this hearing aid test," he added.

See House Bill 240 here.

Severity of punishment for sexual abusers in positions of power

This new law will increase the severity of the crime of child sex abuse when the abuser is in a position of power.

Specifically, lawmakers were motivated by the disturbing number of cases of child sex abuse and exploitation involving teachers, educators, and other related role models.

"For such a serious crime, especially when committed by someone with special power over the victim, the punishment is far too light," State Rep. Rep. Joseph D'Orsie said. "This bill would provide for extra accountability should someone in one of these roles decide to use the influence of their position to harm a child that they should be helping instead."

Crimes that fit this description will now become a felony of the third degree if the offender is an employee of the school.

See House Bill 355 here.

Protecting military children and families

Pennsylvania's numerous military installations house large communities of service members and their families. However, they occupy a "unique" legal position, officials say, because they are technically federal property under federal jurisdiction, and they have a justice system that is not equipped to deal with numerous aspects of family law.

The new package of bills signed into law will allow installations to enter into specific, individual agreements with state and local authorities to provide better avenues of handling juvenile misconduct and other youth issues.

See House Bill 491 here.

Additional legislation signed into law provides funding for the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Licensing and the professional licensing boards it administers, the Workers Compensation system, the Office of Small Business Advocate, the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System, the State Employees Retirement System (SERS), the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), the Public Utility Commission (PUC), the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), and the Office of Consumer Advocate.