Pennsylvania Laws Going Into Effect in 2025

As a new year arrives, that also means new laws. It's always a good idea to be aware of new laws going into effect on January 1, because these laws could impact you. You also never want to be surprised by new laws, too. So, let's get into some new Pennsylvania laws going into effect on January 1, 2025. Pennsylvania Laws for 2025 Lawmaker Pay Raise Starting January 1, 2025, more than 1,300 state lawmakers, judges and top executive branch officials in Pennsylvania will receive a 3.4 percent salary increase. Safe Haven Law Pennsylvania's Safe Haven law will include urgent care centers and health care providers starting January 1, 2025. The law lets newborn children be surrendered to public safety authorities and health care workers with no punishment. Other New Laws A range of other new laws will also go into effect, including new Medicaid coverage to reimburse doulas for childbirth education and support services during pregnancy, labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum. Also, biomarker testing for cancer will be covered by all health insurance plans regulated by Pennsylvania. The Perinatal and Postpartum Education Act will begin in 2025 and address perinatal and postpartum depression. Emergency responders, including EMS providers, fire company members, state police officers and peace officers, who experience post-traumatic stress injury will be able to receive worker's compensation later in 2025. Finally, the Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act will go into effect. So, as you're enjoying lots of Christmas music and trips, make note of some of these changes in laws that will kick in just a few days from now. What's a Bill? So, what exactly is a bill? A bill is a "proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law," according to the USA Gov website, and the concept "for a bill can come from a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives or be proposed during their election campaign." If you've ever wondered how long it takes for a federal law to go into effect, according to the USA Gov website, it's a lengthy and extensive process. For the national laws, it involves the House, Senate and president. Once it gets to the president, the president may sign it into law or refuse to approve it by vetoing it. If the president does veto it, in most cases, Congress can vote to override that veto and make it a law. But, if the president just doesn't sign it and that law is still unsigned when Congress is no longer in session, the bill will be vetoed as a "pocket veto."