5 Proposed Laws That Could Change Everyday Life In PA

HARRISBURG, PA — The havoc in the halls of Harrisburg has died down after Monday's historic turn of events, resulting in the resignation of a Democratic turned Independent turned Democratic Speaker of the House and the election of the first woman ever to the position. With much ado about bipartisanship spoken into the air and even given a bit of corporeality in the shape of proposed procedural reforms, there could yet be hope of a productive legislative session.

There's certainly a lot lingering on the books for new Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton and the slender 102-99 Democratic majority in the general assembly. Republicans maintain a 28-22 majority in the state senate, so anything that reaches new Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk must be the result of successful compromise.

Here's a glance at five pieces of forthcoming or pending legislation in Harrisburg that could impact life in Pennsylvania.

Recreational marijuana

A new year, a new legislative session, and a new take on how recreational marijuana should be legalized in Pennsylvania.

Cannabis is one of the longest running and most controversial debates in the state, with comprehensive legislative packages introduced throughout most of Gov. Tom Wolf's term in office. Wolf finally put public support behind a legalization push in 2020, and new Gov. Josh Shapiro is on the same page.

What remains to be seen is what the legislature does about it.

The new legislation would use the state store system to sell weed, preventing large corporations from gaining a monopoly and ensuring that the estimated hundreds of millions in tax revenue is wisely used.

"Permitting private companies to sell cannabis in Pennsylvania could allow large corporations to take over the cannabis industry, putting profits before the well-being of our communities," State Rep. David M. Delloso (D-Delaware) wrote in a co-sponsorship memornadum.

The bill would also expunge all misdemeanor and low level cannabis convictions, and permit citizens to grow up to six plants for personal use.

Some 27,000 Pennsylvanians were arrested on low level cannabis possession charges in 2017, and prosecution of these individuals used up an estimated $46 million in taxpayer money, officials estimated.

Four-day work week

Recognizing an economy and labor market changed forever by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing to incentivize businesses that move to a 4-day workweek.

Officials cited a recent pilot program from the international organization 4 Day Week Global that showed increases unanimous across the board in both productivity and company revenue.

"We need to do more to provide options for workers and their employers. Studies have shown that a 4-day workweek reduces employee stress, burnout, and fatigue," State Reps. Dave Madsen, Chris Pielli, and Joshua Siegel wrote in a co-sponsorship memorandum. "In addition, it positively impacts an employee’s mental health, work-life balance, and physical wellbeing, all without negatively impacting a business’ productivity and revenue."

The forthcoming bill would provide state income tax credit to employers that switch to a 4-day, 32-hour workweek. The Department of Labor and Industry would run an initial pilot program with companies, before potentially expanding the program in the future.

The representatives said that the shift would provide workers with greater flexibility, and more time to spend with their families, helping their communities, and pursuing their passions.

"It is time we give Pennsylvania workers a fair deal, so their workdays reflect the needs of a modern society and workplace," the lawmakers added.

Mental health days for students

Pennsylvania students would be permitted to take three excused absences for mental health each school year without a doctor's note, under forthcoming legislation in the general assembly.

Rep. Napoleon Nelson (D-Montgomery) wants the state to follow the lead of Utah and Oregon, which already have approved what he termed "mental health tool" legislation. "Providing mental health days would encourage students to take care of their mental health as they would their physical health," Nelson wrote in a recent memo to colleagues. "It is time that mental health supports are normalized in schools,allowing for schools to better understand howthey can help students who take absences."

Nelson cited a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report on how the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the mental health of many youths. About a third of all high school students reported experiencing poor mental health most of the time or always during the pandemic, and almost 20 percent of students had seriously considered attempting suicide.

"Mental health needs to be valued as much as physical health," Nelson wrote.

Native American mascots

Pennsylvania schools with Native American mascots could receive funding by eliminating them under proposed legislation in the state House.

State Rep. Christopher Rabb (D-Philadelphia) plans to introduce a bill that would provide grants to schools to offset the costs of discontinuing their Native American mascot. Those costs could include the purchase, design or renovation of school equipment to remove the mascot.

"Encouraging schools to eliminate their use of offensive stereotypes for school mascots is the least we can do to begin mending the damage done by the appalling historical oppressionof Native peoples," Rabb wrote in a recent memo.

According to the National Congress of American Indians, there are more than 1,900 schools nationwide with Native-themed nicknames such as "Indians," "Redskins," "Chiefs," "Braves," and "Warriors."

School districts in Pennsylvania have handled the situation in different ways. The Seneca Valley School District in Butler County in 2021 decided to keep the Raiders nickname but eliminate its Native-themed logo. In Allegheny County, Shady Side Academy dropped the Indians nickname; their sports teams are now called the Bulldogs.

Toxic school buildings

Schools with faulty or aging roofs, HVAC systems, boilers, plumbing, electrical wiring, and more can all have huge detrimental impacts on learning. And lawmakers say these situations are all too common in Pennsylvania.

“When a child is sitting in a classroom with peeling paint and asbestos, shivering because they’re too cold or has a nosebleed and a headache because they’re too hot, they can’t learn,” State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia) wrote in an announcing a forthcoming bill. "School buildings are a statewide educational and public health issue, and we need to start funding them with that importance."

Fiedler and a group including four other state representatives are co-sponsoring legislation that would change the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to make it easier for public schools to apply for grants for building improvements.

Whether it's additional construction or simply a more easily mobilized and responsive force to address issues, the legislation could be felt in every town with a school across the state.

Lead, asbestos, radon, and mold are just some of the toxins still found in schools in Pennsylvania today, officials said.

The lawmakers pointed to the recent Commonwealth Court’s ruling in the William Penn School District lawsuit that highlighted pervasive school facilities issues as inspiration for the bill.

Companion legislation is being introduced in the state senate.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Eric Heyl