5 New PA Laws: Teachers' Religious Expression, Preferred Organic Brand

PENNSYLVANIA — With Election Day behind us, Patch is taking a look at new laws in Pennsylvania that affect teachers, organic farmers, and dairy producers.

Some of the newly-signed laws in the Pennsylvania statehouse include one allowing teachers to wear religious symbols at school, and one repealing the state's "Frozen Dessert Law" in favor of updated regulations.

Here's a look at some laws that Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law recently in Pennsylvania:

Religious symbols - SB 84

Pennsylvania public school teachers are now permitted by law to wear religious clothing and jewelry in school. This bill repealed a section of the Public School Code of 1949, which prohibited a teacher from wearing any clothing or accessories with religious symbols on the job.

Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Sen. Judith L. Schwank (D-Berks) introduced this bill, saying it is outdated and violates the First Amendment right to freedom of expression.

Teachers would have be suspended for a year, or even disqualified from teaching, if they violated Section 1112 of the Public School Code. It said: "no teacher in any public school shall wear in said school or while engaged in the performance of his duty as such teacher any dress, mark, emblem or insignia indicating the fact that such teacher is a member or adherent of any religious order, sect or denomination."

This bill repealing the 1949 law got unanimous approval in the Senate, and only one member voted against it in the House. It will go into effect in early January.

Frozen Dessert Law repeal - SB 152

The repeal of this 1960s-era law came after legislators said it was unnecessary due to federal regulations, and put a strain on manufacturers. Senator Judy Ward (R-Blair) introduced this bill after a business in her district complained of the "burdensome" monthly testing requirements, she said.

“Today, this law is duplicative and unnecessary,” Ward said. “Since its inception in the mid-1960s, there has been a substantial increase at both the state and federal level of food sanitation laws and regulations.”

The 1965 law also has specific definitions of what constitutes a frozen dessert. The change takes effect immediately.

PA Preferred Organic trademark - HB 157

Pennsylvania is third in the nation in organic agriculture sales, and this bill creates a brand for Keystone State-grown products that meet U.S. Department of Agriculture standards for organic production, and the PA Preferred program's standards for locally-grown goods.

The bill's prime sponsor, Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne) and other supporters say the legislation will help consumers more easily identity these state products and help further support the local economy.

"Creating an easily identifiable PA Preferred Brand logo for PA-grown organic products is a win for Pennsylvania's farmers and producers as well as our consumers who will know that label means quality because their purchase was grown in PA, by PA Farmers, for PA families," Pashinski said.

Fireworks regulations - SB 694

This bill clarifies that individuals paid to put on a fireworks display should register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, not just a business or organization.

It also removed reference to National Fire Protection Association standards concerning retail sales, storage and public use of consumer fireworks that were outdated.

Senator Frank A. Farry (R-Bucks) introduced this bill, which was signed into law Nov. 1 and took effect immediately.

Flood insurance and more - HB 735

Rep. Perry Warren (D-Bucks) introduced this bill, which is aimed at reducing flood insurance premiums for Pennsylvanians who are required to have it by FEMA and several other issues. It establishes the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force to make recommendations for programs that offer discounts to residents, and incentivize local governments to support flood mitigation efforts.

“In recent years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has revised its flood maps to require many more properties in Pennsylvania to hold flood insurance,” Warren said. “While flood insurance is meant to mitigate the financial harm and help lessen the emotional devastation caused by floods, more and more Pennsylvanians require assistance with paying for their flood insurance due to rising premiums.”

The bill also addresses child support enforcement fees and sets judicial surcharges for many criminal and civil court filings, and summary traffic offenses.

This bill was signed into law Nov. 1. The task force will be appointed by mid-to-late February, documents show.