Pennsylvania Laws Going Into Effect on January 1, 2023
It’s officially a new year, and with it comes a heap of new Pennsylvania laws. In fact, this year brings several new laws that are starting on Jan. 1, 2023, in Pennsylvania.
Depending on your lifestyle and where you travel, these laws could impact you. Read on to make sure you’re aware of the new regulations to follow to stay out of trouble.
One of the new laws is a crackdown on those who don’t pay their Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2023, the Turnpike Commission will start notifying drivers that their vehicle registration could be suspended if they have at least four outstanding tolls or more than $250 in unpaid dues.
Another new law beginning on Jan. 1 is that fentanyl test strips are being decriminalized. The test strips are used to learn if drugs or substances contain fentanyl. This change, lawmakers hope, will help prevent fatal overdoses. Another new law going into effect this month makes it mandatory for state agencies, their contractors and local governments to inform victims of a data breach within seven days of it taking place. That’s only if personally identifiable information was part of the breach, however.
Senate Bill 118 requires people convicted of sex trafficking or sex-related to register under the Pennsylvania Sex Offender Registry. Another one, Senate Bill 1027, is an amendment to the Child Labor Act regarding emergency volunteer services. The new amendment enables junior firefighters to legally train on live burn interior modules, so long as they have the permission of a parental guardian or the fire chief.
Finally, one last new law states you can’t be pulled over by police because a frame partially covers the license plate on your vehicle. In addition to the new laws, Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation enabling the regulation and operation of highly automated vehicles, whether or not there is a driver.
