HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Josh Shapiro this week signed into law 24 bills that address human trafficking, veterans benefits, the Pennsylvania National Guard and impacts cosmetologists, funeral directors and others.
Among the more notable pieces of legislation signed is a law regulating robocalling. Senate Bill 992 prohibits telemarketers from spoofing phone numbers so the call appears to originate from the same local area as the recipient and prohibits telemarketers from making “robocalls” after 8 p.m.
Another law signed will allow nurses and midwives to make referrals for physical therapy and to sign fetal death certificates.
The state is also cracking down on "shady" towing practices. Senate Bill 779 enhances the existing state towing law by allowing police enforcement of laws against towing practices that require a vehicle owner to sign a form authorizing repairs or storage, or not providing advanced fees, itemized billings and acceptance of various forms of payment beyond cash.
Here is a look at the rest of the new laws signed this week:
House Bill 1286: Requires hotels, motels, and third-party listing platforms to provide training to employees and rental operators regarding what human trafficking is, how to identify the signs of trafficking, and how to respond if suspected trafficking is taking place.
House Bill 2017: Authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection to adjust the current fee structure to account for small modular nuclear energy reactors in the future, removing an obstacle to investment in SMNR technology.
House Bill 2024: Mandates training for county veterans affairs director in trauma-informed care, specifically including military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
House Bill 2559: Conveys numerous parcels of state land to various parties.
House Bill 2426: Changes the maximum draft from 27 to 29 feet for river pilots to enable the safe pilotage of deeper-draft vessels and align pilotage standards with modern shipping practices.
House Bill 1860: Permits employees whose employers are licensed under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act to work from an off-site location. These licensees were among those deemed essential lenders by the governor during the pandemic and were granted permission to work remotely under now-expired waivers.
Revamps the financial incentive programs available to medical professionals if they join the Pennsylvania National Guard.
House Bill 1862: Reforms and simplifies Pennsylvania's DUI Interlock Ignition Program and creates a single Ignition Interlock Driver's License.
House Bill 1646: Changes the definition of a quorum for meetings of the state Board of Barber Examiners, which regulates barbers, manager-barbers and barber teachers, including approving barber shops and schools of barbering.
House Bill 1830: Extends to light duty service trucks the same ability as presently provided to tow trucks, that is to display blue lights on their lightbar and taillights while they are stationary on the side of the road rendering assistance.
House Bill 482: Permits Pennsylvania to join the National Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, which will increase occupational licensure portability while preserving the state's authority to regulate the profession.
Allows a community's chief assessor to share property contact information with code enforcement officials to help ensure the maintenance and upkeep of all properties.
Senate Bill 45: Moves prostitution related offenses to the Human Trafficking section of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code and increases the penalties for most prostitution offenses related to the traffickers and buyers rather than the sellers.
Senate Bill 130: Requires licensed funeral directors, funeral entities or cemetery companies to notify the county veterans affairs director of a deceased service person having legal residence in the county and to notify the decedent’s family with the contact information for the county veterans affairs director. The law is aimed at assisting the families of deceased service personnel by connecting to the county director, who will be able to guide them through any available benefits for deceased service persons and their families.
Senate Bill 1294: Implements stronger standards, accountability and oversight over the commercial drivers license law to deter illegal migrants from operating commercial vehicles.
Senate Bill 331: Authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. The law is meant to address workforce shortages and allow cosmetologists in Pennsylvania to practice in other Compact member states.
Senate Bill 511: Establishes Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (July 27) into Title 38 (Holidays & Observances) just as it has been previously done for Vietnam War Veterans Day, Persian Gulf War Veterans Day and Global War on Terrorism Veterans Day.
Senate Bill 1181: Amends the Township State Highway Law, adding a route in Dauphin County and in York County.
Senate Bill 1052: Modernizes the E85 fuel standard as containing 51 percent to 83 percent ethanol to align with the U.S. Department of Energy’s flex-fuel standard.
Senate Bill 1353: Amends the Board of Vehicles Act, further providing for unlawful acts by manufacturers and dealers.
Senate Bill 349: Establishes decommissioning and bonding requirements for project developers who seek to install or operate commercial solar electric generation facilities in Pennsylvania.