PENNSYLVANIA STATE LAWS
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: 2025-26 State Budget Provisions (Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit)
Official Title: An Act Providing for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget (includes Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit)
Effective Date: Tax Year 2026
Primary Sources:
Pennsylvania Governor’s press release on the 2025-26 budget signed Nov. 12, 2025 confirms creation of the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit effective for 2026 filings. (pa.gov)
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Creates a refundable state Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit equal to 10 % of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), increasing refunds or reducing state taxes for eligible working taxpayers.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: Provides up to $805 in tax relief for eligible working families and individuals; overall budget impact projected at $193 million in FY 2025-26. (pa.gov)
Who it affects: Working Pennsylvanians who qualify for the federal EITC and file a state tax return in 2026.
Who sponsored or initiated it: Included in the state budget enacted by the Pennsylvania Legislature and signed by the Governor.
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Debate focused on budget priorities and tax policy; specific opposition details are not widely reported in public legislative summaries.
✅ PRO
• Provides direct tax relief to working families
• Automatic eligibility for those receiving federal EITC
• Applies statewide
❌ CONS
• Reduces state tax revenue
• Benefits limited to taxpayers who qualify for the EITC
• Amount varies by household circumstances
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Pennsylvania introduces a new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit for 2026, giving eligible workers refundable tax relief based on the federal EITC.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: CROWN Act Amendment to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act
Official Title: An Act Amending the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to Prohibit Discrimination Based on Hair Texture and Hairstyles
Effective Date: January 24, 2026
Primary Sources:
Reporting on new Pennsylvania laws taking effect in 2026 confirms the CROWN Act hair discrimination ban’s effective date. (waynepikenews.com)
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Expands the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles (e.g., braids, locs, twists, Afros) in employment and other covered areas.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS; enforcement is through existing civil rights mechanisms.
Who it affects: Employees, job applicants, and employers throughout Pennsylvania.
Who sponsored or initiated it: Pennsylvania Legislature; signed by the Governor as part of broader civil rights updates.
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Public discussion focused on inclusivity and workplace fairness; detailed opposition reports are not widely noted.
✅ PRO
• Strengthens anti-discrimination protections
• Applies statewide
• Clarifies covered characteristics under civil rights law
❌ CONS
• Compliance adjustments for employers
• Enforcement procedures may require staff training
• Specific impact varies by workplace
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Pennsylvania’s CROWN Act amendment takes effect January 24, 2026, banning hair-based discrimination in workplaces and other covered settings.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: Senate Bill 37 (“Paul Miller’s Law” Enforcement Phase)
Official Title: An Act Amending Distracted Driving Laws (Paul Miller’s Law)
Effective Date: June 6, 2026 (full enforcement with penalties)
Primary Sources:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and related official sources confirm that enforcement with fines begins June 5-6, 2026. (pa.gov)
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Expands and enforces Pennsylvania’s hands-free distracted driving law by making use of handheld mobile devices while driving a primary offense with citation and fine after a year of warnings.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: No state tax; penalties include $50 fines plus court costs and fees for violations beginning June 6, 2026. (stricklerins.com)
Who it affects: All licensed drivers and law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania.
Who sponsored or initiated it: Pennsylvania Legislature; signed by the Governor (Senate Bill 37).
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Some drivers and public groups expressed concerns about enforcement and fine costs; safety advocates supported the change. (pa.gov)
✅ PRO
• Enhances road safety by curbing distracted driving
• Applies statewide
• Allows primary enforcement by police
❌ CONS
• Fines and enforcement costs for drivers
• Requires law enforcement training
• Some debate over effectiveness and fairness
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Pennsylvania’s hands-free driving enforcement with fines takes effect June 6, 2026. Drivers statewide must avoid handheld mobile device use while operating a vehicle.
LAW #1: “PAUL MILLER’S LAW” — HANDS-FREE DRIVING
Statute / Bill: Senate Bill 37 — “Paul Miller’s Law” (Pennsylvania.gov)
Effective: June 5, 2025 (Pennsylvania.gov)
What it does: Prohibits use of hand-held mobile devices while driving—including when the vehicle is stopped (red lights, traffic, etc.). (Pennsylvania.gov)
Drivers can still use GPS or make calls using hands-free technology, and emergency calls are excepted. (Pennsylvania.gov)
Cost to taxpayers / State budget: Minimal for the state; costs mostly in enforcement, public education, signage. (Pennsylvania.gov)
Law enforcement agencies will need to update training / policies; small administrative costs.
Who it helps / affects
Helps: All motorists, pedestrians — safer roads; victims of distracted-driving crashes.
Affects: Drivers used to using devices; law enforcement; mobile device users (e.g. drivers who use their phone a lot); businesses needing to ensure their staff comply.
Who sponsored / who opposed: Sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Brown and others; advocates for road safety. (Pennsylvania.gov)
Some opposition from individuals concerned about enforcement fairness, possibly privacy or claims about overreach. Not huge public debate in summaries.
✅ PROS
Reduces distracted driving, which is a major cause of crashes.
Clearer law: “no device in hand” even while stopped helps close loopholes.
May save lives and reduce injuries and property damage.
❌ CONS
Enforcement may be challenging; drivers may dispute what counts as “hand-held” or “interacting.”
Some tech/apps/functions drivers may consider essential might be harder to use.
Penalties / warnings phase-in period could cause confusion.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
As of June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania’s Paul Miller’s Law bans all use of hand-held devices while driving (even while stopped) unless hands-free or emergency — aimed at safer roads; drivers need to break the phone habit.
LAW #2: EXPANDING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS’ PTSD INJURIES
Statute / Bill: Act correcting workers’ compensation eligibility for first responders in cases of PTSD (signed in 2024, takes effect October 19, 2025) (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
What it does: Clarifies that first responders (police, firefighters, EMS) do not need to show their post-traumatic stress disorder was caused by abnormal working conditions in order to qualify for workers’ compensation. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
Cost to taxpayers / State budget: Some increased cost to municipalities / self-insured employers; state used in calculating benefits.
Possibly more claims; more costs for adjudicating claims.
Who it helps / affects
Helps: First responders who suffer PTSD from their work — more access to compensation and mental health support.
Affects: Employers (municipal / state); insurance funds; claim adjudicators.
Who sponsored / who opposed: Sponsored by a representative with a first responder background or interest; not sure of exact sponsor publicly in summary. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
Opposition minimal in public summaries; some concerns from employers about claim costs or overuse.
✅ PROS
Recognizes the toll of PTSD on first responders without unfair burden of proof.
May improve mental health outcomes and reduce stigma.
❌ CONS
Higher cost for employers / insurance; need for oversight.
Risk of more claims that are harder to evaluate; balancing between support vs. misuse.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Pennsylvania will, starting October 19, 2025, let first responders get workers’ comp for PTSD without having to prove abnormal working conditions — a win for those who risk their lives mentally & physically, with some cost and oversight trade-offs.
LAW #3: HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR SPEECH THERAPY (STUTTERING)
Statute / Bill: Legislation signed by Gov. Shapiro requiring health insurance plans to cover speech therapy for stuttering; took effect December 16, 2024 in some parts, but many effects roll out into 2025. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
What it does: Requires that health insurance policies cover speech therapy services for people who stutter. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
Cost to taxpayers / State budget: Cost borne largely through private insurers; may slightly increase premiums.
Administrative/regulatory oversight cost.
Who it helps / affects
Helps: Those who stutter—improved access to treatment.
Affects: Insurers, policyholders (possible small premium increase), speech therapists.
Who sponsored / who opposed: Supported by health-advocacy/guilder groups; families of those affected.
Opposition minimal in summaries; perhaps cost concerns from insurers.
✅ PROS
Improves quality of life and supports speech health.
Removes barrier to treatment for a recognized speech disorder.
❌ CONS
Insurance providers may adjust premiums slightly.
Some logistical or supply issues (finding enough speech therapists).
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Pennsylvania now requires insurers to cover stuttering speech therapy (effective December 16, 2024, but impact felt in 2025) — helping people get therapy who need it, with some insurer cost impact.
LAW #4: HOUSE BILL 799 — VETERANS’ POSTING ACT / WORKPLACE NOTICE REQUIREMENT
Statute / Bill: House Bill 799 (2025) — Veterans’ Benefits and Services Workplace Posting Act. (HKM Employment Attorneys LLP)
Effective: Signed July 7, 2025; takes effect January 2026 for employers with more than 50 full-time employees. (HKM Employment Attorneys LLP)
What it does: Requires employers with more than 50 full-time employees in Pennsylvania to post a uniform notice at their worksites (could be physical or digital) informing employees about federal and state veterans’ benefits, the VA Crisis Line, and contacts for county veterans’ affairs. (HKM Employment Attorneys LLP)
Cost to taxpayers / State budget: Minimal direct cost: government will create/post the official notice template. (HKM Employment Attorneys LLP)
Employers will need to print or display the notice or post it online. Some administrative cost, but low overall.
Who it helps / affects
Helps: Veterans working in big companies; employees who are or know veterans who need benefit information.
Affects: Employers with >50 full-time workers; HR / compliance departments; employees who see the notice.
Who sponsored / who opposed: Sponsored via Pennsylvania Legislature and signed by Governor Shapiro. (HKM Employment Attorneys LLP)
Likely broadly supported (veterans groups, workforce advocates); opposition likely limited (some employers who must adjust notices, minor cost).
✅ PROS
Makes it easier for veterans to know their benefits and resources.
Shows recognition and support for veterans in workplaces.
Low cost to implement.
❌ CONS
Some employers (especially with many locations) may lag implementing or forget to post.
Notice alone doesn’t guarantee people will use benefits or understand them.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Starting January 2026, Pennsylvania companies with 50+ full-time employees must post veteran benefit resource notices on worksites — a small but meaningful step to ensure veterans know their rights, with minor compliance steps for employers.