PENNSYLVANIA — With the 2026 nearly half over, Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed a number of bills that have become new laws.
Among others, the pieces of legislation impact state high schools sports events, nurses, midwives, firefighter spouses, dentists, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, police officers and local borough officials.
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Among the new laws that already have or soon will be depending on their effective dates:
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Senate Bill 375: Requires all Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association member schools to have an automatic external defibrillator present at all PIAA events. Not later than June 30, 2027, and annually thereafter, each school entity and nonpublic school shall report to the state Department of Education detailing the number, condition, age and expiration date and placement of AEDs in their buildings.
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House Bill 1251: Allows nurse-midwives to make referrals for physical therapy and to sign fetal death certificates. This law already is in effect.
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House Bill 797: Enables the spouse of Pittsburgh firefighters to still continue to receive pension payments upon remarriage. State law previously permitted the cessation of a Pittsburgh firefighter’s pension payments to their surviving spouse upon the spouse’s remarriage. This law goes into effect in July.
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Senate Bill 507: Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1985 by liberalizing the licensing of certified midwives in Pennsylvania and allows midwives to prescribe treatment for opioid use. This law goes into effect in July.
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House Bill 2163: Allows dentists with a restricted a restricted faculty license to practice in clinical facilities owned and operated by a dental school or an affiliated nonprofit academic health care center. This law goes into effect in July.
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Senate Bill 848: Expands the role of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to provide advice on flood control and prevention. This law goes into effect in August.
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Senate Bill 867: Updates the state Accessibility and Advisory Board's ability to review and adopt future accessibility codes. The legislation goes into effect in August.
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House Bill 1934: Amends an existing law clarifying who has access to state agency records. This law already is in effect.
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Senate Bill 327: Prevents Fort Indiantown Gap police officers from having to retake a certification exam if they transfer to any other police department. This law already is in effect.
- Senate Bill 467: Addresses the release of property restrictions on lands owned by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in West Mifflin, Allegheny County. The legislation already is in effect.
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Senate Bill 1036: Makes procedural changes to the state's First Class Township Code. The law take effect in July.
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Senate Bill 862:Amends an existing law regarding the filling of vacancies in elective borough offices. The law takes effect in July.